GHK v Annan – A few Notes September 17, 2014
Whilst maybe not literally fulfilling its stated aim, the ‘Fill the Stand’ day held to inaugurate the new pitch at OA did, indeed, see the biggest crowd to watch GHK for some years provide a great, family atmosphere on a sun kissed afternoon as the assembled throng watched GHK take on Annan in this season’s first league encounter.

As the strapline for the day offered ‘A pie, a programme and a new pitch’ it was incumbent on us to ensure that all three were duly delivered leading to the reassignment of our ace reporter to other, obviously more pressing, pie distribution duties.

In the absence of a full match report, therefore, some brief notes from Saturday’s fixture follow.

GHK’s team showed a good deal of continuity from last season although league debuts were made in midfield by stand off Mike Martin and centres Struan Gray and Jamie Fleming.

Both teams showed a willingness to run the ball, resulting in an entertaining game for the crowd. However, it was from a rolling maul that GHK scored their first try of the campaign with ‘Mini’ Mitchell being credited with the touchdown. Further tries for GHK in the first half came from debutant centres Fleming and Gray, winger Gregor Hollerin and flanker Mike Borthwick, who made an early appearance in place of club captain Pete Ritchie who picked up an unfortunate injury early in the game. With 3 conversions from full back Scott Robertson and a converted try and penalty from Annan the half time score was GHK 31 Annan 10.

The second half perhaps didn’t quite live up to the excitement of the first, although the appearance of a trio of young female representatives from player’s sponsor Viper Bar and Nightclub certainly brightened proceedings for a number of spectators. After a lull, GHK did manage another 3 tries, with a well worked move for winger Scott Davidson to score under the post being the highlight, alongside a second for Fleming and a solo effort from the back of the scrum by no. 9 Mike Aird. Another conversion from Robertson and a second Annan try brought the final score to GHK 48 Annan 15.

GHK’s man of the match: Jamie Fleming

Footnote: prior to the GHK match, Glasgow High School had played Glasgow Academy in the very first match on the splendid new surface earlier on Saturday. With Accies on top for most of the match and leading 12-0, it seemed that High School had brought some respectability to proceedings by scoring very late on and just managing a conversion. With, I have it on good authority, only 14 seconds left on the clock, Accies kicked off. You can guess the rest as High School retained possession with their full back (normally a hooker, I understand) beating off several tackles to score fairly adjacent to the posts. The kick was duly delivered just over the bar for an astonishing 14-12 win for the home side. A fine start to a great day!