GHA XV 22 Biggar XV 22
GHA played their first warm-up game of the coming season against Biggar on Saturday. The game ended in a 22 all draw, 4 tries apiece, but the result was not the important thing.
Coach Gordon MacPherson had promised all available players a run out during the game as he looks at his options for the coming season. With several first XV players either on holiday or unavailable for the game, it gave others the chance to stake their claim for a starting slot for the league opener on August 25th. On that day GHA will play Daziel at Braidholm, kick off at 3.00pm
The game was played in three stanzas, with GHA trying different combinations in each. Biggar pretty much played the same team throughout and displayed better teamwork in the final term. This allowed them to score two tries to draw level, against what was probably GHAs least successful combination.
What was possibly most significant was the appearance of a number of new faces in the senior ranks. GHA has regularly produced young stars from its junior ranks and it was pleasing to see this tradition continued. Four of last years U18 players staked their claims for first team honours John Haughney, Grant Macdonald (both Hutchesons’), Brendan Barrett (St Aloysius) and Scott Gallacher (Kings Park) and acquitted themselves well. This crop of young players will be strengthened when two U18 internationals return to the fray. James Malcolm (Scottish Rugby Union U18) and Jack Plumridge (Scottish Rugby League U18) will ensure the youngsters are pushing the more established players for a place in the first team.
Left to Right – Brendan Barrett, Scott Gallacher, Grant MacDonald, John Haughney.
