Saturday 3rd December 2016
Glasgow Hawks 29 Stirling County 20
Old Anniesland
From the start of the season in late August Hawks played 11 games on successive weekends so the three week break due to the Autumn Internationals gave time for bodies to rest and little niggles to recover. This break was interrupted by a cup game against Highland in the middle weekend. This though was a good opportunity for the coaching team to give some of the younger players, who had been turning in good performances in the 2nd XV, a chance to see what they could do at a higher level. The good result against the team from Inverness demonstrated that Hawks have strength in depth that should stand them in good stead for the rest of the season and seasons to come.
It was interesting to see who had been selected for this week’s return to the Premiership campaign and the Hawks chance of a top four play off place at the end of the season. As it turned out the selection was influenced by three players being involved in the 7’s tournaments in Dubai this week. All three were backs George Horne, Brendan McGroarty and Kerr Gossman. It was also influenced by the secondment of players from the Warriors.
Junior Bulumakau returned from his try scoring appearance at Scotstoun last Friday to take the place on the wing that he has held for most of this campaign. Erland Oag played on the other wing replacing Kerr Gossman and the ever reliable David Milne made up the centre pairing with Bobby Beattie who had returned from Scotland 7’s training.
Grayson Hart was made available from Warriors and he replaced George Horne at scrum half with Paddy Boyer on the bench to give cover if required.
In the pack Cammy Fenton came in as hooker. He has recently been attached to London Scottish but is now back in Scotland and available to play his first game for Hawks. The other change in the pack was the return of Matt Fagerson at openside following a spell with the Warriors during the autumn tests replacing Andy Hill who was unavailable.
On paper it looked a well balanced team and hopes were high that they would complete the double over Stirling. In fact it took time for the team to gel and get into a winning position.
Hawks started the game in their usual free flowing style but as early as the 4th minute they were shocked by an interception 6 metres from the Stirling County line by stand off Ross Jones who collected the careless pass and raced the length of the park to score under the posts. Jonny Hope converted and County lead by 0-7. Hawks appeared to be shell shocked and County took advantage of this to put their opponents defence under pressure. In the 12th minute the pressure was relieved by a huge downfield kick by stand off Josh Henderson successfully chased by Junior Bulumakau who forced the County defence to put the ball out of play near their own line. Hawks won the lineout and drove it forward only for Stirling to pull down the maul as Hawks were about to score and the referee awarded a penalty try that Josh Henderson converted to level the score at 7-7.
From that time on in the rest of the half Hawks were under severe pressure and only two desperate tackles close to the line stopped County scoring again.
The game was being played at a frantic pace and County’s handling and retention of the ball was superb. It is doubtful if even one pass was dropped and they were prepared to run the ball at every occasion. Hawks on the other hand made too many handling errors, lost the ball at line outs and were under pressure at the scrums. This was an entirely transformed County side from the one Hawks had put to the sword in September. To be fair they defended as if their lives depended on it and Stirling had only one more penalty from Jonny Hope to show for their efforts.
Half time arrived with Stirling leading by 7-10
Hawks had to improve in the second half but didn’t initially as within 2 minutes of the re-start Stirling took advantage of a Hawks knock on and Stirling centre Craig Pringle ran through a fragmented Hawks defence for a try under the posts converted by Jonny Hope.
Hawks couldn’t get their hands on the ball at this stage and 6 minutes later Jonny Hope kicked another penalty for a 7-20 lead.
Hawks supporters in the stand were beginning to despair and it was difficult to see how Hawks could recover the situation. With replacements Sean Yacoubian. Paddy Boyer, Chris Barnes and Bruce Flockhart on the field the tide started to turn. Hawks were awarded a penalty and kicked it into touch 5 metres from the Stirling line. A series of rucks followed and eventually Cammy Fenton was driven over for an unconverted try. 12-20.
Now the pressure changed and in 57th minute County made their first handling error. A loose pass and a fortunate bounce and Bobby Beattie picked it up and ran in from the half way line. Josh Henderson converted and the gap narrowed to one point at 19-20.
Stung by this County put in a frantic effort with numerous scrums and drives well within Hawks 5 metre area but all came to nought when they were penalised. Hawks quickly transferred the play to the other half where County were penalised for a high tackle 30 metres out. Josh Henderson held his nerve and duly sent the ball between the posts for a 22-20 lead.
Hawks were now well on top and County were being penalised on a regular basis. From one of these Hawks kicked the ball into the corner and won the line out. A series of rucks took the ball from the touchline across the field to in front of the posts. Now deep into extra time and desperate for the bonus point Hawks were patient and finally Steven Finlay was driven over for a try that Josh Henderson converted for a 29-20 win.
There is no doubt that Hawks used their ‘get of jail card’ but it the sign of a good side when they can win without playing at their best.
Stirling County were incredibly unlucky not to have come away with a bonus point as they contributed hugely to a highly entertaining match.
The premiership this season has been wonderful to watch with many of the games high scoring with undoubted skill on display.
Congratulations to young referee Steven Turnbull for keeping the game flowing by good use of the advantage.
Next Saturday Hawks are away to Watsonians at Myreside kick off 3-00pm