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GHK match report

GHK match report

Hugh Barrow17 Nov 2014 - 07:08
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filed by GHK correspondent

Garnock RFC v GHK – Saturday 15 November 2014

The latest chapter in GHK’s league season saw them take the trip to Garnock who play at Lochshore, by Beith. A decent crowd had assembled by the early kick off time even those of the of the OA contingent who had detoured via various industrial estates. The starting GHK XV showed a number of changes from the side that began the last league match away to Helensburgh.

Just like at Ardencaple a couple of weeks ago, the visitors were very quickly into their stride. Indeed, in that first quarter, going forward, GHK carried a scoring threat at all times. Tries from Gregor Hollerin and Minnie Mitchell gave the OA side an early cushion and thoughts of a possible bonus point.

A penalty got Garnock off the mark, and shortly after a missed attempt to close the gap further, GHK extended their lead with Jamie McLean finishing off a cracking handling move that started between the GHK twenty two and ten metres lines. Mike Aird sparked it off, carried on by Gordi Reid and then powerful offloads by Nick Hurn and Hugh Parker saw wing forward McLean with a gap and he was over from twenty metres. A real high quality score.

The GHK line was moving well and Gregor Hollerin was given space wide left and he charged over for his second and GHK’s precious bonus try. All of this with barely twenty two minutes gone. In terms of return for their early endeavour, the visitors probably have not enjoyed such a productive quarter for a long time.

Garnock did look a tad shell shocked. However, some effective kicking from hand got them good field position. The visitors started to fall foul of the referee with a number of penalties going against them. The hosts were capitalising on this epidemic of wrongdoing and GHK lost a bit of their early momentum. Their rhythm was also disrupted by an injury to stand off Rory Long who was having an effective game. He departed just short of the half hour to be replaced by Callum Pender. Scott Robertson moved in to ten with Callum covering at full back.

Garnock opened their try account with a drive from close quarters after some stubborn resistance from GHK. A further missed penalty attempt for the hosts was all that was worthy of comment in the last few minutes of the half. A very satisfactory first session saw the visitors get to the break with a very useful 22-8 lead.

Turning round to play the second half with the advantage of the slope and a not unhelpful wind, the GHK support looked forward to more of the same. However, that problem of frequent infringement saw any territorial advantages lost to clearing kicks. Eventually, after some encouragement, referee Gilchrist flashed the yellow in the direction of Hugh Parker and GHK were a man down with only four minutes of the half gone. Garnock pressed hard but GHK raised their game defending well especially from a series of five metre scrums from which no doubt the hosts would have been looking to capitalise.

GHK were still handling well but the finishing pass that was there in the first quarter was just not carrying. Good runs from wingers Hollerin and Parkes kept Garnock chasing back. The momentum swung again to GHK and a Scott Robertson penalty after the hour stretched the lead. Ali Munro and Ross McFarlane replaced Minnie Mitchell and Craig McPhee both of whom had worked tirelessly.

Callum Pender confirmed what a dangerous runner he is with a number of attacks, combining particularly well with Haydn Parkes. It was no surprise therefore when the two of them were involved in a move that saw Mike Aird go clear and Callum was on his shoulder to take a cute reverse pass for the final try of the day. Scott Robertson added the extra two points.

Final score Garnock 8 GHK 32

A very satisfying win for GHK at a venue where you have to work for everything. A much changed side started on fire and did a lot of damage early on. That they were able to weather the inevitable response from a tidy Garnock side demonstrated that this is a team that works hard in defence as well as going forward.

The entire squad deserves great credit for a very convincing performance and worthy victory. The line out and scrum worked well against a stubborn Garnock eight. Hugh Parker and Nick Hurn plundered the opposition line out as well as covering countless yards going forward. Gordi Reid threw, hooked and got stuck in. Centres Brown and Hoffmann did all that was asked of them and a bit more – threatening going forward and solid in defence against a couple of centres of the crashing variety.

The back three/four of Robertson, Hollerin, Parkes and Pender had the edge over their opponents and, like the forwards, more than did what was required in defence. Everyone contributed to a fine win. Post match discussion regarding man on the match candidates was in depth and challenging. However, on the recommendation of our second oldest supporter present on the day (Ed.'s note - name and shame), the GHK man of the match, for yet another high octane, eighty minute all action effort, goes to back row man Jamie McLean. Well done Jamie, very impressive indeed.

Next League match 29 November – Allan Glens at OA – kick off 3.00

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