GHA WEATHER THE STORM TO RATCHET UP PRESSURE ON COUNTY

GHA RFC MATCH 114: GHA RFC 8 – 0 HAMILTON RFC 

2006/2007: Scottish Premiership Two

With Stirling County falling to a surprise defeat at Kelso; GHA have moved level on points with the league leaders. 

Despite some atrocious weather conditions both sides played some good, controlled rugby, with the crowd enjoying a competitive match. But in the end GHA did enough to become the first side to deny Hamilton a score in a league encounter since October 28, 2000.

Despite GHA enjoying most of the early pressure, Hamilton had a chance to take an 18th minute lead from a penalty. Craig Sangster opted to kick for the corner rather than the wind-assisted three points, and although Matt Gray did well to take David McGrath’s lineout, GHA’s alert defence made sure Hamilton couldn’t break through. With 30 minutes gone, Hamilton again put a kickable penalty into the corner and although Gray secured lineout, but again GHA blocked their path.

Ron Strydom thought he had broken clear to touch down, but the referee was unsighted and instead awarded Hamilton a scrum, which GHA managed to disrupt and clear the danger. As the half moved into injury-time Hamilton were awarded another penalty, four metres inside their own half, but Sangster’s effort didn’t carry the desired distance, and both sides headed for the shelter of their dressing rooms, with the score at 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second half Alistair Smith made an excellent charge through the middle, and his pass to Strydom, provided the South African scrum-half an opportunity to break inside towards the try line. He fed Nigel Scullion, who had come off his own wing to add width on the right, and the winger did well to make the 22-metre line before good cover tackling halted the move.

But after 18 minutes Alan Bulloch broke from his own 22 and made good ground, taking GHA into Hamilton’s half for the first time in the second half. Despite a good Stuart Eynon GHA kept the ball alive and winger Rory Watson managed to squeeze in at the corner for a try and 5-0 lead.

Hamilton continued to put pressure on GHA, but couldn’t find a way through their defence. A minute from time, GHA were awarded a penalty 40 metres from goal, and Jim Noonan’s kick flew between the uprights to make the score 8-0 and deny Hamilton a losing bonus point. Only scoring differential now keep County at the top although they do have a game in hand.

Source: Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 13th January 2007 & Hamilton Advertiser, Thursday 18th January 2007