Accies win on a cold day at New Anniesland
When I arrived at New Anniesland today, amid the flurries of snow, I was amazed to see three of the grounds staff, led by our main man, Robert Cheape, mowing, yes mowing the pitch. I am sure it was to avoid the tractor wheels making a mark on the pitch, and I felt it necessary to produce photographic evidence to prove I was not dreaming.

We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated grounds staff and I know the players appreciate it – thankyou Robert and your crew!
So needless to say the ground was in perfect condition even if the air above was not. With the wind chill factor lowering the temperature to well below zero and a swirling wind making life even more difficult, Accies kicked off playing towards the clubhouse and with the wind in their faces. Cold hands do not make for open rugby. It took a good 5 minutes for Accies to get their game plan moving but when the backs had produced a move to take play into Perthshire’s danger zone it was taken on by the forwards. After a great bust from Ryan Sweeney the ball was recycled and a forward united charge the ball was in the hands of the ever present Greg Valentine to drive over for Accies first try.
The difficult conversion was collected by the wind and deposited wide of the posts. 5 – 0
Accies, it has to be said, appeared to be slightly less than fully focused at this point and a good kick into the 22 by the Perthshire stand- off saw them putting real pressure on the Accies line, and from a strong forward drive they levelled the score but a good conversion saw Perthshire take the lead. 5 – 7
This appeared to give Accies the proverbial kick up the backside and they raised their game accordingly. Accies, as usual were moving the ball across the field and using every inch of the superb playing surface they could. There were several breaks from both forwards and backs and they were stretching the opposition defence to its limits. When Perthshire’s captain and stand-off kick well and long it gave Accies attacking back 3 a chance to run back at them. This was keeping the strong opposition defence under pressure and it was no surprise that this sustained period produced an opportunity for man of the match, Greg Valentine to drive over and score Accies and his second try, It has to be said that this scribe thought that Jamie Loomes had taken the ball a long way back, clearly to widen the angle, but against the wind, making the kick far more difficult. Jamie was right and slotted a very difficult conversion 12 – 7
There followed a really good period of Acccies 15 man rugby, with the ball being moved between backs and forwards in the fashion we all pay to watch. There were attacks from deep when Perthshire tried to relieve the pressure, with, as I have said Accies back three in great form and full of running. However it was some exceptional skill, especially considering what must have been very cold hands, when James Smith, Ross Cowan, Kris Mathie and Chris Woods combined to move the ball between them with fingertip accuracy and a speed that baffled the defence, which put Kris clear to score Accies third try. This was probably one of the best tries seen at New Anniesland this season, and that is saying something. Great conversion by Jamie Loomes 19 – 7
The conditions were making life difficult for everyone and it should be said that the last two weeks weather has not been favourable to the style of rugby that Accies are training for and trying to play. However there was a period of 12 minutes when the match went into what I would call ‘middle pitch doldrums’ as the contest remained between the 10 metre lines. Well, clearly Jamie Loomes decided that his hands needed warming up and he took a ball around the oppositions 10 metre line and having beaten the first defender, put on his very efficient after burners and cut a swathe through the rest of the desperate defenders to score a truly brilliant individual try under the posts.
The conversion was always going to be successful 26 – 7
The first half was nearly over and despite one or two forays neither side could find any real forward momentum.
Half-time - 26 -7
With the bonus point in the bag, so to speak, it appeared, from this scribes view point, that there was a slight air of complacency emanating from the Accies team, or perhaps a few thoughts of next weekend and the clash with Highland. Perthshire were still in this game and their work in defence was well drilled and effective and they were certainly more dominant at the breakdown. However from some loose play the ball arrived in Kris Mathie’s hands and with some quick thinking and a realisation that the fullback was out of position, he kicked the ball high into the open space. It bounced freely and appeared to be heading over the dead ball line but the electric pace of Ross Cowan saw him first to the ball and touch it down before it went dead. Great commitment and determination from Ross but the wide out conversion was missed 31 – 7
The second half was proving to be somewhat more fragmented than the first and the biting wind and snow flurries were clearly not helping. It came to the time for substitutions and Accies coaching staff made a couple of changes. On ran Ruiradh Hood to take up his position on the left wing. No sooner had he got his bearings than the ball was passed to him just outside the opposition 22. A deft grubber kick saw the ball run over the try line and Ruiradh was first to it and touched it down. Great start to his 15 minutes of the game. A very tough conversion from wide out was successful 38 – 7
Accies were then forced into a couple of changes and their structure seemed to suffer, There was a hesitancy and apparent lack of understanding and from some very lose inter passing the Perthshire left winger took an easy interception and ran the length of the pitch to score. Difficult conversion missed. 38 – 12
The players on both sides were now showing the effects of the snow showers, strong wind and a wind chill that must have been -6. So unsurprising the game became fragmented and disjointed. Eventually the referee of the day, Alex Obreja, who had a good day with the whistle, called a halt to proceedings.
Full-time 38 – 12