After a week when there was much debate about whether GHK and Aberdeenshire had ever crossed competitive swords before (and the answer to that one is yes, in season 2009/10), the sides locked horns in a BT League 2 fixture at OA. Three wins from three for the visitors and reports of a powerful, free scoring brand of rugby suggested that GHK might have a job on their hands to claim the points from this encounter. Would the hosts bring their A game to the party?

Well for the first twenty five minutes or so, despite a fine Rory Taylor try and a Danny Campbell penalty, Aberdeenshire racked up three converted tries without apparently having got out of second gear. There was early concern for the home side as the first couple of their line outs were poached by the men in black (and red). There was a plentiful supply of ball for the visitors and two powerful centres made ground and a hungry pack of forwards piled in behind driving home an early advantage.

When 21-8 became 24-8 with a well struck penalty it did look as though this was becoming a bit of procession. GHK had not seen much ball and were being dominated. Thankfully, whatever switch that was required to be flicked was duly adjusted as from that moment on it was a transformed GHK xv that held the upper hand.

A period of possession in/around the Aberdeenshire twenty two saw GHK put together some positive phases of play. Forceful carries by McCulloch, McLean and others saw questions being asked of the defence. Hughes and Cameron in the centre were feisty line breakers. After several combinations, ground was being gained and the defence tested and stretched, Gordi Reid slipped over for a smart score.

GHK had got themselves in to the groove and the attacks continued in waves. Aberdeenshire did not in any way lie down, but the apparent early invincibility had clearly been downgraded in the eyes of the home side. The next score was a superb Marc Taylor finish after the defence had been punctured more than once and stretched to breaking point. When the left winger raced over wide right for a cracking team score it was truly game back on.

Moments later, back on his regular beat, winger Taylor, on the port side, fielded a towering kick and set off down the line. With little room to move he slipped the first tackler and popped the ball inside to Mike Borthwick who had the best part of half the field to go. He gave it his best and the covering tackle had last ditch stamped all over it. Oh so close.

GHK were now bossing territory and possession. With the last play of the half Alex McGuire, a front row replacement, used those fresh legs to power over ploughing through a couple of sizeable defenders on his way. A straightforward conversion saw GHK go in to the half time huddle with a remarkable three point lead. GHK 27 Aberdeenshire 24.

The anticipated riposte from Aberdeenshire appeared to have been ignited in the early moments of the second period. However, the home defence was not only nullifying the opposition’s attacking threat but turning over possession and continuing to take the game to the league leaders. It is perhaps unfair to single out any individual players as this truly was a team/squad effort. However, Mike Borthwick did so much in terms of tackling, ball winning and converting defence in to attack that he does indeed merit special mention.

It was not long until GHK added another score. Having gained the belief that they had the edge in terms of pace and elusive running over the Aberdeenshire backs, the home threequarters took every opportunity to take on a physically imposing back line. Mike Martin was a thorn in the side of the visitors with that infuriating combination of smart running, will he pass it won’t he moves and some prodigious boots for touch and position. The centres mentioned before, but for the forgetful amongst us, Cameron and Hughes, were causing all sorts of problems. Mike Aird was coming on to a game that was acknowledged as very influential by the visiting management in the clubhouse post match. It fell to Danny Campbell to notch the fifth GHK score and for good measure he added the extras.

The GHK lineout had resumed normal service with Messrs Parker, Brock and Hurn securing good ball and occasionally disrupting the previously untouched ‘Shire lineout. In the scrum, the home side competed very well indeed against their sizeable opponents. Indeed, a wee shunt on the opposition ball was evident all day as the GHK eight took on the Dons.

The Aberdeen resurgence would surely come. However, they struggled for possession and were being dominated in the loose by the scavenging home xv. GHK were controlling the game, quite an achievement on the evidence of the first period and indeed the first three league matches of the season. A few personnel changes did nothing to revive the visitors’ spirits or momentum. With still about a quarter of an hour to go Mike Aird nipped over for the final GHK try. It was no less than the home side deserved as they were the ones who were asking the attacking questions.

Fifteen points ahead with fourteen to go. Still the revival did not really materialise. That was due in very large measure to the GHK domination of possession and watertight defence. In honesty there was not too much of the ‘backs to the wall’ type of defence required as GHK closed out the game. The northern lights had been dimmed.

Result GHK 39 Aberdeenshire 24

What a fine day at the office for GHK. At one point it did rather look as though Aberdeenshire were about to sweep the home side away in much the same manner as they had dealt with their first three league opponents. Thankfully, the tables were turned in time for GHK to avoid what at one time looked like a Barcelona style going over, and whilst ‘Shire maybe did not possess a Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez their early bite demonstrated how/why they sat on top of the league. The fact that they were ultimately overcome was due to a remarkable turn around in the home performance.

Belief and confidence, when the GHK xv finally convinced themselves that they could do it, they did so and with some style and purpose. There were nineteen star turns a few of whom have been mentioned before. Adam Johnston impacted as you do. Jez Hanks took hits, made hits, gained hard yards. Hugh Parker steadied a slightly wobbly early line out and played his expansive game as well. Gordi Reid delivered another seriously influential eighty minutes. Not really fair to have a man of the match, but Mike Borthwick delivered another immense performance so he gets the gold star.

Next game – Friday 30 September at OA against West – k o 7.30, or if you fancy a pre match curry contact Treasurer Wood who is taking orders. Booking essential – no book, no bhuna!