A fine breakfast was provided by two mystery chefs bright and early at Old Anniesland on Saturday. Just who were these culinary wizards? It was difficult to make them out through the haze in the kitchen. The Hairy Bikers? Fanny Craddock and her trusty Johnny? No, it was John Hodge and Sandy Kennedy who delivered the tasty goods that set everyone up for the day. The convoy departed on schedule and the glorious weather was clearly just another box that was ticked on President Woolard’s finals day to do list. He had done awfully well.
Let’s be honest, the prospect of a day out in Edinburgh does not generally make the heart of your average west of Scotland punter miss a beat. Today however it was very different. Four very jolly buses sped along the M8 and before you could say ‘are you sure Kenny Hamilton was going direct’ we were in the Thistle Suite doing what one does to calm the nerves. By kick off time about 350 OA supporters had taken their places to witness GHK march out on to Murrayfield’s perfect pitch. There were a few dewy eyes and lumps in throats.
It was the men from the Borders that got proceedings underway and, as you might expect from a team that was packed with rugby experience, they slipped very quickly in to their rhythm and controlled early possession and territory. GHK might have been wishing that they had brought a ball of their own as St Boswell’s seemed determined not to part with the one they were using. That early domination was rewarded with a try after five minutes following a series of close quarter drives.
The powerful Border pack continued to dominate and GHK were not able to play the kind of game that they were used to and that had been so effective in the season to date. When GHK did get ball, the St Boswell’s defence was rock solid and, despite the wide expanse of the Murrayfield pitch, space seemed to evaporate when GHK had possession as the smart defence lay in wait. Further, when they did get in to decent positions, the fifty- fifty calls seemed to be going against the OA men. For all that, GHK managed to get to just shy of the half hour with no more damage done. However, in the time remaining in the first half, three further St Boswell’s scores gave the city side a huge mountain to overcome. What was probably most disappointing was that the opposition did not have to be terribly creative for a couple of those scores. Half time GHK 0 St Boswell’s 24 – ouch!
Unfamiliar territory for GHK – being significantly behind at the interval that is. However, the coaches did their stuff and the players responded well despite the daunting challenge facing them. At last a bit of forward momentum created some space and Marc Taylor was over on the left with only six minutes on the second half clock. There was not a huge change in the flow of the game but GHK seemed to be creating a bit more and confidence grew. Haydn Parkes followed the example of his left wing pal and went over on the right for try number two for the OA side. 24 -12 with about twenty five minutes to go.
From the restart GHK were adjudged to have infringed and stand off McCracken added another three points to the Border total. It was an untimely concession by GHK. Nevertheless, they got stuck in and, as the match moved in to the final quarter, at last play was stretching in a way that suited the swift GHK back row and threequarters in particular. Another incisive Mike Martin inspired break saw GHK within a few metres of the St Boswell’s line. When the ball did not come back quickly, the Glasgow support was waiting for a penalty. When it came it was for the defending side and the danger was duly cleared. That did seem like a harsh call.
The GHK side continued to ask questions of the tiring St Boswell’s XV. An unfortunate injury to try scorer Parkes resulted in a long delay while the winger received the best of treatment from the medical team. (Happily, after a check up at hospital Haydn was able to rejoin his team mates for the journey home.) That dented the GHK momentum. The breather was probably also very beneficial to the Border side as flagging batteries were recharged. A break by Mike Aird saw Jamie McLean go over for a third try for the men from the west cutting the deficit to eight.
Despite the best efforts of GHK, the old heads in the St Boswell’s team regrouped and managed to quash any idea that there might be a dramatic finale to the game. The breathing space that second half penalty had given the Border side proved to be quite significant. The game was closed out with the final score GHK 19 St Boswells 27.
St Boswell’s were worthy winners on the day. In boxing terms they had a bit more ringcraft than their younger opponents. They played a clever, structured, mature game and their experience shone through. They were magnificently led by number eight Ryan Hogg. Congratulations St Boswell’s – still unbeaten.
For GHK, whilst it was a disappointing result, it was a great day for the club, players and supporters alike. The players had the privilege of playing on the biggest stage that Scottish rugby can offer. They gave it their best and on this day they came up just short against the best side they will have encountered in quite some time. No disgrace in that. The hundreds that followed the OA side to Edinburgh had a fabulous day and were proud of their team.
Many people deserve thanks for their contribution to making yesterday happen and giving us one of the most memorable days in recent OA history. It would however probably be fair to single out President Woolard and Treasurer Wood who devoted hours/days of their time to ensuring that the troops were marshalled and got through to Murrayfield in some style. Life will calm down now a little.
The fleet of buses was managed by Transport Convener Gourley with his usual mixture of good humour and blind panic. It worked remarkably smoothly. He was ably assisted in this organised chaos by his ‘H’ Team, Henry, Hodge, Haldane and Halastair.
The restaurant review can be found at the beginning of this note but, och well, we can say it again, thanks to the most stylish chefs in the west, Sandy K and John Hodgkinson. For future reference, young ladies love a roll with square slice.
The staff at the bar at OA put in a long shift for which we are truly grateful. Maybe the Working Time Directive doesn’t operate on Finals Day. The evening back at OA was topped off by a superb set of tunes delivered by the not nearly famous enough 'Band With No Name' Grateful thanks to Peter Laverie (if he's half as good a coach as he is a musician, Hawks are in good hands!), Ross Dewar, (sorry if the next beer wasn't always on time, Ross) and our own Graham 'Alto' Miller (Dougie Vipond eat your heart out). Some of the guest vocalists should seriously consider hiring an agent (or a lawyer)

A great season boys - heads up – an awful lot to be proud of and great foundations for the future.