GHKRFC v RHC Cougars 21 November 2015
GHK’s ninth match of this National 3 league campaign saw RHC Cougars pitch up at OA and from the off they were very evidently right up for it. A number of well structured phases of play put the visitors in good field position and when a gap opened up right winger Luca Vita cut through and dotted down when the stragglers from the pavilion had not yet got seated in the stand.
Whilst this was not a crisis, there have been few occasions in the last while when a side facing GHK has come out of the blocks so quickly and dominated early, so it was reassuring for the OA faithful to see the home xv finally respond. It was thanks to two of this season’s stand out players that GHK opened their account when, after a classic Jamie McLean follow up, possession was turned over and Tony Herron finished as only he can. Having done so, he dusted himself down and knocked over the conversion from just about as wide out left as he could be without being on Anniesland Road.
RHC’s rhythm was not unduly disrupted by the GHK score and indeed it was their combination of powerful line breaking forwards and crisp handling by a smart back line that made the visitors seem the more likely to be next to get on the scoreboard. However, as has happened on a number of occasions this season, the GHK lineout proved to be adept at disrupting/helping themselves to opposition ball. This was in evidence again on Saturday and took the sting out of the RHC offence. Lewis was the Brock on which much of the Edinburgh side’s ball perished at lineout time. Having dug in and prevented any further scoring damage from the visitors, it was GHK that hit back in the last ten minutes of the half with Rory Taylor being held up just short and Hugh Parker also going close. Half time GHK 7 RHC Cougars 5
The home side restarted proceedings and, having claimed their own kick off, first Marc Taylor and then Mike Borthwick were halted within a few feet of the whitewash. There then followed two spectacular long range efforts with first that man Herron again and then his accomplice in chief Jamie McLean powering over leaving defenders in their wake. These were top quality scores that demonstrated the pace, power and balance that these two strike runners have served up regularly all season. With less than five minutes of the half gone GHK had stretched their lead to twelve points and most of the home support thought that the ship had been well and truly steadied. How wrong we were.
Back came RHC and winger Vita got his and his side’s second try of the day with a meandering run that benefitted from some confusion in the home defence and from tackling that was not of our Sunday best. In fairness, when the RHC backs saw a gap they didn’t half go for it. With the lead now back to a mere five points, the momentum was with the Edinburgh side. Their pack found another gear and it was no surprise when, after a series of aggressive drives, number eight Anthony Reen ploughed over to draw the scores level. A conversion attempt from pretty close to the spot where Tony Herron had landed the opening kick was unsuccessful but only by the thickness of a post. All square at seventeen all.
Danny Hoffmann took to the field in a reshuffle that saw centre Coates move to wing forward and Mike Borthwick move up to the middle row. It was the last quarter and the match was there to be won. Whilst neither side totally dominated the scrum, GHK’s lineout ascendancy was a continued source of good ball. From one such set play on the GHK left, Marc Taylor intervened between Rory Long and his inside centre. His pace took him past the first line of tacklers and when he was held up Scott Cameron acted as the link to secure vital ball. A bit of control and a very welcome avoidance of white line fever eventually saw centre/flanker Coates burrow over in the shadow of the posts. He added the extras via the conversion of his own try.
The flow seemed to now be with GHK but a one score advantage is a fine margin. A long range Tony Herron penalty attempt fell short and the lead remained static. RHC were conceding a few penalties which tends to be an indication that the pressure is telling. The home side were succeeding in playing out the game in the opposition half but there was still a real threat when their opponents got some ball. Fortunately the GHK tackling had upped a notch or two. With four minutes to go, the tireless Jamie Mclean added a further clinching try forcing his way over after another positive passage of play. In the time that remained RHC were frustrated in their attempts to secure a bonus point. Final score GHK 31 RHC Cougars 17
A hard fought victory in which the critical point may have been GHK and not their opponents getting the next score when the matters were tied just after the hour mark. Had RHC recaptured the lead at that time it could have been a different outcome. However, when challenged, GHK saw it through and pocket another five point win to add to the season’s tally. The home back three made significant contributions, Mr Herron with his tries, Rory Taylor with some vital yardage gained and Marc Taylor relieving the pressure and turning defence in to attack on numerous occasions.
Up front that man McLean and the lineout bosses Parker and Brock were very influential. Replacement Cameron contributed a very significant twenty minutes. However, Messrs McLean and Brock share today’s gold star.
With the Mighty Twos enjoying a convincing win over our neighbours the Accies, it was a fine day all round. Next week Irvine at OA and Christmas lunch in the pavilion. Get along and jingle those bells.
There were a couple of regulars missing from OA today, namely Coach Little and his Man Friday Inglis. Strange they were absent on the same day. Unconfirmed rumours of a sighting at Harvey Nicholls apparently.

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