Once upon a time….well about six months ago to the day actually, the GHK North American expeditionary force was making its way from first base in Oakville, Toronto to Buffalo in New York State. The journey was broken by a stop off in Niagara where the President continued his recovery from the ninja attack whilst running touch. Some rolled a few dice and others accompanied Hodge in his quest for the perfect Country and Western bar. It is all about the choices we make. A lot was packed in to those less than forty eight hours in Buffalo. We made new friends, the Dizzy Bat and the Beer Tower to name a couple. Alice found his looking glass and Hodge failed again to find a C&W bar to his liking.

Six months on, the journey to Biggar might not match up to the road to Buffalo in terms of view and landscape. The roadworks at the Raith interchange cannot really compare to the rapids and jet boats at Lewiston. However there was a real sense of anticipation as the GHK squad headed south to do battle with a Biggar XV who, whilst having an even split in terms of wins and losses in the league to date, had recorded a notable success at home against leaders Kelso in an unbeaten home run. To come away with anything today GHK would have to be at their best from the off. Hartree Mill looked a picture and with no wind or rain and a pretty decent surface the stage was set.

From the GHK kick off it was the home side that set the early pace, quickly in to their powerful driving game and making use of a threatening three quarter line. As it has been for most of the season, the GHK defence was ready and willing, which was just as well given how the match unfolded. Having faced down the early home offensive effort it was the Glasgow boys’ turn to show what they could do with ball in hand. Callum Kerr, Mike Martin and Cammy Hughes all made significant inroads but Biggar returned the defensive complement snuffing out the GHK attacks well short of the try zone.

There were early hints that the hosts might have a telling advantage in the scrum but once again GHK pulled together and more than held their own even allowing for a couple of sightings of that endangered species, one against the head, courtesy of a small bearded hooker. Just after the twenty minute mark Rob Dickson made his long awaited first xv debut. He was to put in a pretty epic shift in the front row battle.

Despite the absence of try action it had been a compelling encounter with both sides giving it a go, but with two miserly defences neither team was making that much headway out wide. The score board operator had almost given up hope of any first half activity when Danny Campbell gave GHK the lead with a straightforward penalty with five minutes of the half remaining. In a game of very tight margins every point would count so even relatively straightforward goal attempts carried that wee bit of extra pressure – so well done Mr C.

Back came Biggar as you’d expect. Having got in to a good position GHK infringed and stand off Jardine drew the sides level with another tidy penalty conversion. That was that for the first period. Not a lot of points but a whole lot of intense rugby with everything to play for in the second half.

Playing away from the clubhouse, where the majority of the home support many of whom had clearly enjoyed the generous hospitality of the sponsors’ lunch were based, GHK started very brightly and managed to pin the home xv back in their twenty two. The GHK line out had been functioning well and when a five metre throw was called in favour of GHK a chance was definitely on. The throw was good. The catch was secure. The drive was on. After a couple of dunts the Biggar defence was a bit rattled. A third attempt down the narrow side saw Callum Kerr make it with little to spare but it was enough to see GHK claim the first score of the day. It was reward for a very lively start to the half. A superb conversion from wide left by Danny Campbell, maybe only five or six metres from touch, was a vital bonus. Clearly the responsibilities of fatherhood are sitting easily on his young shoulders.

GHK knew what was coming and indeed Biggar responded well, but in fairness in that third quarter GHK did keep the home effort at fairly long range. In this period the visitors did have a bit of an edge. When Danny Campbell claimed another three points from a penalty, the GHK support might have felt that they were nearly there given the low scoring nature of the contest. Hmmm? Not quite.

Lewis Brock had made way for Chugh Parker, well that is what the official match programme said. Shortly afterwards Rory Cook joined the fray to give Mike Aird some time out. With Andrew Fleming already on for Ruaridh Cameron all four of GHK’s replacements were to make significant contributions. The Biggar revival was under way as the game entered the last twenty. A home penalty brought it back to a one score game. The onslaught ramped up a notch or two but the GHK barricades were sound. As a Biggar attack moved the ball left on the GHK twenty two, Gordi Reid somehow got fingers to intercept a pass. With just the seventy odd metres to the try line it was as well that Rory Taylor was in support to carry the hooker’s break deep in to Biggar territory. It was the home side’s turn to call upon their scrambling defence and somehow a clinching score was thwarted.

However, still being in a decent field position, it was hoped by the travelling support that there would at least follow a period of limited threat (to the GHK line) as play was in the home twenty two. A combination of not the best decisions, a couple of loose passes and no doubt a good dollop of home pressure saw the initiative return to the hosts in terms of territory. They got in to and remained in good positions. The GHK squad knew that their defensive chores were not done for the day. Several waves were repelled. Tackles were made close in and wide out. Sore bodies on Sunday guaranteed.

A yellow card for Nick Hurn just added to the challenge. Cammy Hughes was enlisted as an occasional flanker – and rather good he was too. The pressure had to tell and with about six minutes to go home number two Ewan Stewart barged over out on the left wing. A challenging conversion to draw the scores level was pulled and the lead remained with GHK.

Could GHK manage to dictate the rest of the game and play out the last five? Well a fine Mike Martin restart was chased down and Biggar barely got out their twenty two. The visitors dominated the closing stages playing some smart rugby and continuing to keep the door closed with assured tackling as required. With the last attack of the game a GHK attacker was held back in the twenty two. After allowing for any advantage the referee brought it back for the penalty. Rather than posts, Danny Campbell popped the ball in to touch and that was that. As hard fought a victory as you could ever imagine. Final score Biggar 11 GHK 13.

The GHK squad, committee and supporters were made very welcome by all at Biggar. This is a thriving country community club that has built some superb foundations and whose future looks very rosy indeed. We look forward to making them welcome to OA in the New Year.

The work of the GHK players was not over for the day as after the game some switched in to sales mode and shifted a few of the much sought after charity calendars. The bar manageress in particular seemed awfully pleased with her purchases – all in a good cause! Keep up the good work chaps.

Many contenders for man of the match for GHK. Callum Kerr as ever was an immense presence, Rob Dickson packed a lot in to his first hour for GHK. Gordi Reid had a major influence on the forward exchanges. The second rows caught, drove, tackled, you get the picture. However, for a rock solid defensive performance, making a few decisive breaks and providing a remarkable cameo (cammy/cameo –I hope you are paying attention), Cammy Hughes is our star turn. Brilliant effort sir!

Next week Ardrossan at home at OA. 3.00 kick off which gives you plenty time to enjoy your Christmas lunch at OA – see Johnny Anderson or any of the committee to secure your place.

PS actually the drive from Abington to Biggar showed off the Southern Uplands in all their splendour, so maybe Scotland compares quite favourably after all.