GHA RFC MATCH 208: STEWART’S MELVILLE FP RFC 24 – 13 GHA RFC 

2010/2011: Scottish Premiership C

STEWART’S MELVILLE FP RFC 

 GHA RFC

L. Steele15R. McClymont
R. Borthwick14A. Gillman
H. Lingard13N. Cassie (c)
S. Trotter12A. Rushforth
A. Broach11R. Hughes
N. McCashin10D. Dunn
R. Paterson9M. Houston
A. Davidson1M. Kidd
G. Turner2D. Malcolm
A. Statham3J. Low
J. Kynoch4R. Jenkins
(c) S. Brewster5S. Shearer
A. Lean6E. MacLeod
D. Sangster7J. Pinder
S. Riddell8D. Kellock
S. Blackwood16G. Warnock
A. Edmonstone17A. Barnett
G. Black18J. Auld
A. Borland19R. Jericevich
Lingard, PatersonTryCassie, Rushforth
McCashinCon
McCashin (4)PenHouston
DG
Referee
Mr D. Crudge (Borders RS)

 

It would be totally unfair and against the whole spirit of the game, to infer that the Stewart’s Melville victory was in any way connected to the benefit accruing from a home fixture. However, the visiting support were left to ponder what might have been if the GHA side had been playing in the familiar surroundings of Braidholm rather than a return visit to Inverleith, for all its charms.

Having travelled through from a fog and frost shrouded west of Scotland, it was a pleasant surprise to reach the comparative balmy weather at Inverleith. Both teams were barely recognisable from the 19 who had represented the clubs in the previous fixture on Saturday 11th September.

Stewart’s Melville kicked off from the left side of the stand and quickly took play to the GHA 22 metre line, where the visitors were penalised and Nick McCashin made no mistake with the kick at goal. GHA were 3 points behind in a less number of minutes. 3-0

From the restart, the home forwards took play back into the GHA half and another handling infringement gave the home number 10 an opportunity to add to his previous penalty score. 6-0

Andrew Gillman who had just returned from injury was looking dangerous on the wing and having received a pass from Niall Cassie, he was unlucky to lose his footing when a possible scoring chance was available. Although Stewart’s Melville appeared to have the upper hand, GHA continued to threaten and a good run by hooker Malcolm almost led to a try. Having got close to the home try line, it seemed probably that GHA would open their scoring but poor handling and lack of support at crucial times let them down. After 20 minutes, a GHA player was dispossessed in a tackle and from a kick ahead, the home side gained possession in a line out and a subsequent penalty which number 10 McCashin converted for his third success. 9-0

On the half hour, GHA number 7, Jamie Pinder was shown a yellow card and although Nick McCashin’s penalty rebounded from the far upright, a resultant scrum allowed Stewart’s Melville to move the ball wide and scrum half Rob Paterson touched down for the first try of the game. Nick McCashin added the conversion to his previous penalty successes. 16-0

Despite these setbacks GHA continued to press forward and their efforts were rewarded when a good handling move allowed centre Andrew Rushforth to open his side’s account with a try on the stand side but unfortunately, too far out for Murray Houston to be successful with the conversion and so the score remained at half time. Half-Time: 16-5

The second half continued much as before with neither side looking likely to create too many scoring opportunities. Indeed, both sides were being penalised for being off-side and handling on the ground at rucks and yellow cards were issued to a player from each side.

GHA were looking adventurous in attack from deep in their own half but had a habit of losing possession just as it looked like a break out and score was possible. From a line out on the far side, Stewart’s Melville cleared to half way, where the visitors were penalised and again Nick Mcashin made no mistake with a well taken penalty from 30 metres out. 19-5

GHA quickly took play back in to the home half and from a series of cross field moves, the ball was fed to captain Niall Cassie who forced his way over in the corner for a well taken try. Murray Houston was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt. 19-10

Stewart’s Melville restarted and successfully took play back into the visitor’s half where missed tackles allowed Hayden Lingard a clear run in to score a try on the stand side. Number 10 Nick McCashin was unsuccessful with the conversion. 24-10

From the restart, GHA took play to the home 22 and were awarded a penalty which Murray Houston converted to complete the scoring. Full-Time: 24-13

The 4 points awarded to Stewart’s Melville for winning this match should assure them of a place in Premier 2 next season but GHA will have to await future results to find out if they are to retain their position or be relegated to Premier 3. Saturday, 29th January sees GHA at home to Falkirk in a match which could decide the club’s next season position.

Source: Bill McMurtrie

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