GHA RFC MATCH 237: GHA RFC 29 – 14 DALZIEL RFC
2012/2013: Scottish Championship A
GHA RFC |
|
DALZIEL RFC| H. O’Hare | 15 | L. McWhinnie |
| R. Jericevich | 14 | D. McMillan |
| T. Jericevich | 13 | R. Westwood |
| (c) A. Henderson | 12 | G. McCallum |
| J. Brogan | 11 | J. Baxendale |
| C. Sorbie | 10 | C. Lewis |
| D. Dunn | 9 | A. McLaren |
| S. Spowart | 1 | D. Irvine |
| J. Malcolm | 2 | C. Colin |
| S. Fisher | 3 | D. Hay |
| D. Kellock | 4 | E. Ferguson |
| J. Auld | 5 | G. Clark |
| D. Malcolm | 6 | K. Hughes |
| N. Cassie | 7 | C. Reid |
| A. Auld | 8 | C. Simmonds |
| S. Gallacher | 16 | G. Sloan |
| D. Larkin | 17 | G. Stewart |
| P. Harkins | 18 | F. McKenzie |
| C. Binnie | 19 | S. Johnstone |
| J. Auld (2), Henderson, Kellock, O’Hare | Try | Irvine, McCallum |
| Brogan (2) | Con | Lewis (2) |
| Pen | ||
| DG | ||
| Referee | ||
| Mr C. Brett (Edinburgh RS) | ||
GHA opened up their new season with a 29-14 win over Dalziel on an afternoon where the mixed weather reflected the home side’s performance on the pitch.
GHA kicked off in balmy conditions and started the game with good interplay between backs and forwards which has become a hallmark of the team. Despite losing Niall Cassie to an early injury GHA took the lead when Hefin O’Hare crossed following quick hands off a dominant scrum inside 5 minutes, John Brogan converted to make it 7-0.
The team continued their good work and Andy Henderson crossed under the posts after good runs from Rangi Jericevich and O’Hare, Brogan added the conversion to make it 14-0. At this point GHA were well in control but they allowed Dalziel to work there way back into the game. Building pressure was released by a loose pass which was intercepted by GHA and the chance looked to have gone, but in a moment, Dalziel had won the ball back following great maul work by Grant McCallum. The ball was passed to prop Davie Irvine, who ran in from the 22 metre line, out pacing Henderson in the process. Lewis converted to bring the score back to 14-7.
From the kickoff GHA gained good territory and another powerful scrum led to a penalty. The kick was put into the corner, Jamie Auld secured the ball and the forwards drove over from a driving maul to setup Dominic Kellock for the score. Brogan missed the conversion from out wide to make it 19-7.
Dalziel again upped their game and after some powerful running from Clark, Irvine and Crawford Reid, Dalziel spun the ball out to Kris Hughes, who stretched his legs and took the ball to within 10 metres of the GHA try line. As Hughes was tackled, McCallum took the offload and ran into reduce the score 19-14. GHA responded from the kick off and good runs from Alan Auld in particular led to the bonus point try from Jamie Auld, another missed conversion made it 24-14 at half time.
At half time the clouds which had been gathering opened and the second half was played in driving rain. This did not stop GHA from adding to their lead when Jamie Auld crashed over from close range within 5 minutes of the restart to make it 29-14.
That GHA did not add any further scores was in part down to the conditions but more to do with loosing the ball or giving away penalties after good ground had been made. Dalziel were a spirited team who with ball in hand caused GHA problems but strong defence ensured that the 15 point lead was maintained until the final whistle.
Head Coach Gordon MacPherson was pleased to gain a bonus point victory but felt there was room for improvement. He said:
“It was probably a typical early season performance. We did some really good things and struggled at times. We started the game like a runaway train, scored three good tries and then let one in through shaky defence which just comes down to communication. Overall it was a real mixed bag.”
Four teenagers started the match against Dalziel on Saturday and head coach Gordon MacPherson was delighted with their performances. He said:
“There were some good performances like young James Malcolm who played his first game and showed why a lot of people are talking about him. He is one for the future and is part of the Scottish Academy and is a good upcoming prospect. Declan Larkin was around the club last year and will hope to push on a bit this season. We have some good young guys and thats what we are trying to do bring them on so they get some experience. Most of them performed very well.”
GHA will be looking to build on their winning start and will head to Dunfermline where they will look to continue their good start to the season. MacPherson is expecting a tough match against a side looking to bounce back from a 51-6 thrashing by Whitecraigs. He said:
“I think a lot of people have said good things about Dunfermline and expected them to do better. So it was a bit of a surprise that they got beat by such a big margin. We are expecting a tough game and every away game was tough last year for us. In the away games it is important for the guys to get the mental preparation right. It won’t be the same kind of performance from Dunfermline and they will be smarting from that loss and will want to prove a point.”
Source: David Coates & Dalziel Rugby Club, Monday 27th August 2012
