GHKRFC v IRVINE RFC 28 November 2015
An early Christmas lunch and a monsoon combined to provide an overture to a match that saw GHK square up against the side they faced on the opening day of their National 3 League adventure. A fine August afternoon and dry ground in North Ayrshire was replaced by a raw,wet,windy day and a pitch that, whilst very playable, would present a challenge to all players in terms of survival, let alone demonstrating their skills.
However, from the very first play of the game, a classic Tony Herron intrusion made ground and when the ball was moved out wide to Marc Taylor he evaded his opponent but a stray foot in touch was spotted by GHK’s touch judge in chief. It was always likely to be a less than expansive effort and Irvine had set themselves up well to play a close driving game which allowed them to draw in the GHK tacklers. Thankfully, the home side had brought their physical game to proceedings and fronted up in any defensive duties required.
Playing into the wind and rain, GHK worked out that short passes and driving was an effective means of making progress. Having got in to good position deep in the Irvine 22 on the GHK left, it was home number one, Andy McCulloch, who burrowed over for the first score of the day. It had been worked hard for and was probably just about deserved on the balance of play in the first quarter.
Irvine’s continued positive driving play got them in to GHK territory and they kicked sensibly. During these visits to the home patch, GHK fell foul of the referee on a couple of occasions and Irvine’s Craig Williams converted the penalty attempts that followed. So, with about six minutes of the half remaining GHK found themselves trailing by a point. Working on the basis that, if it worked the last time perhaps we should try it again, GHK stepped up their own forward effort and good handling combinations and patience created an overlap where Mike Borthwick did the needful very close to the spot where Andy McCulloch had scored try number one. Indeed, Mr McCulloch was so close to his wing forward as he scored that apparently he is claiming a partial assist. Half time 10-6 to GHK.
With the wind and rain giving a bit of support to the home effort in the second half, it was no surprise that GHK were able to dictate largely where the game was played. It was one of those situations where, if you kept your opponents turning and having to return the ball, a combination of conditions and errors would bring rewards. GHK kept up the pressure and hounded the visitors in their attempts to clear their lines. It was no surprise when Mike Borthwick added another score although, in the play leading up to it, there was a hint of a knock on, or was it a knock back? Anyway, it was a try.
The precious four try bonus pint followed when, after a powerful, disciplined catch and drive from a line out, Gordi Reid was chaperoned to the try line and dotted down. The GHK replacements were all making an impact with Gregor Hollerin and Adam Johnston in particular getting stuck in to the gritty stuff. It was that man Johnston who added a further score after a series of powerful dunts and he was not going to be stopped when the opportunity arose close to the end zone.
Irvine kept going and their patterns and combinations continued to ask questions of the GHK defence. The home side responded positively and tackles were made with centres Fleming and Brown leading by example. In fairness, the entire GHK squad contributed to the defensive chores on a day when it would have been tempting to invoke the ‘after you’ policy in tacking matters. There were a few more scoring chances, but it was a day when conditions dictated that secure handling became more of a challenge as the game wore on. The referee who had done his best to let the game flow despite the meteorological misery might have called a halt a little early. No one was complaining. GHK 25 Irvine 6
Irvine can look forward to a more productive second half of the season if this performance is anything to go by. For GHK, the winning sequence rumbles on. It was clearly a smart call by the coaches to stack the home deck with as many front row forwards as possible. When the going gets heavy you can rely on the advanced guard. It is not often that the forwards score all of the GHK points and with the front row contributing a hat trick of tries it rather gave the game away as to the type of performance that was required today. However, for another eighty minute all action performance, both with and against the tide, back row man Mike Borthwick gets a Blue Peter badge.
There was little controversy on the park. The same could not be said of the post match raffle which saw the Parker dynasty clean up – with Junior relieving many an innocent drinker of some of their hard earned folding stuff, whilst HP Snr claimed first prize in raffle draw overseen by his son. There will be an inquiry. Hanging Judge Mitchell is available.
Next week Perthshire – away.