1st XV
Matches
Sat 03 Oct 2015  ·  BT Premiership
Currie
29
36
Glasgow Hawks RFC
1st XV
Tries: R Beattie, M Smith (2), P Boyer, B McGroarty (2)Conversions: G Horne, J Steele (2)
Report courtesy of Currie website

Report courtesy of Currie website

Hugh Barrow6 Oct 2015 - 14:06
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Our resident scribe was unavailable

Currie :29 - Glasgow Hawks :36
A view from the touchline – BT Premier League: 3.10.15

Currie 29 pts (t 4, c3, PG 1) v Glasgow Hawks 36 pts (t 6, c 3)

The Bacchanalians’ grassy bank, that over looks the main pitch at Malleny Park resembled a picnic site, as families and friends settled in the glorious October sunshine to watch an equally hot contest between two adventurous teams, both edging towards the top end of the Premier League table. Initially, there was plenty of midfield activity but not much excitement or many scoring chances. Currie squandered a ten-point halftime lead, that let Hawks take control in a high-scoring second half and concoct a winning try in the final minute of an entertaining match.

The ball had whizzed in all directions at a hundred miles an hour for the first fifteen minutes of this rattling roaring encounter, as both teams tried to break through the other’s defence. Currie received a yellow card for an unfortunate tackling offence and the scoring started. Against the odds, Joe Reynolds kicked a long penalty goal which was shortly followed by the conversion of Chris Logan’s try; a splendid handling move that started deep inside the Currie 22. The visitors responded immediately with some equally delicious handling after Currie had failed to control a high ball; Rob Beattie and George Horne combined for a well-taken soft try that was not converted. Hawks were now in full flight, and with some more excellent running they exposed the home defence; impressive wing forward, Matt Smith took the final pass and cruised in for a try that was easily converted by George Horne.

It was now Currie’s turn to show their skills and several flowing moves went close. The forwards battered the visitors’ line before the industrious Richard Snedden released his back line. When Harvey Elms was bundled into touch 10 metres out, it looked like the opportunity had gone. A poor Hawks throw-in went straight into the hands of Matt Goodwin who dashed for the line; James Semple converted.

As halftime loomed, Hawks once again threatened the Currie line with some textbook rugby which was only stopped by outstanding defence. Ross Weston cleaned up a loose ball and brought the backs into play; James Semple, Robbie Nelson and Harvey Elms were all involved with Chris Logan’s try that was not converted.

Halftime score – Currie 22 pts Hawks 12 pts.

The second half started at an equally cracking pace as both teams pressed for a score. When George Horne, the Hawks influential play-maker had to retire injured, and James Semple made a splendid clearance, the local support thought that the omens had moved Currie’s way; unfortunately it was not to be. Hawks kept up the pressure and Harvey Elms was yellow-carded. With crucial heavy support, Matt Smith battered his way over the Currie line; Jack Steele converted.

Hawks now had their tails up and were full of running. Master of ceremonies, Fin Gillies was directing operations with experience and cunning. From the back of an attacking scrum he picked up and went blind to send Paddy Bowyer sailing unopposed for the goal line. This try and the next were not converted, but the sparkling visitors had snatched the lead when their captain Brendan McGroarty scored. Currie needed to get more possession and control. Thankfully the extra effort was soon rewarded with more top-drawer rugby which culminated with a Cammy Gray try that Joe Reynolds converted. The final ten minutes was exciting end-to-end stuff, but with no team looking to be completely in control and both defences cancelling each other out. As at Mansfield Park the previous Saturday, it appeared that the scoring had finished and the referee’s whistle would soon blow, but suddenly Hawks broke out of their 22 and caught Currie out of position; as the ball swept across the pitch, Brendan McGroarty made the overlap and no one could catch him. The wide-out try was converted and a distraught Currie team were left to ponder yet another last-minute narrow defeat!

Next Saturday is a ‘standby’ weekend – one of these strange SRU things which occur in the middle of the rugby season! Why not come along to the clubhouse and watch the Scotland team play their final pool match for the Rugby World Cup.

IJS, 5.10.15.
Updated 05/10/2015 by David Sloan

Match details

Match date

Sat 03 Oct 2015

Kickoff

15:00

Location

Competition

BT Premiership
Team overview
Further reading