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“ A GAME OF TWO HALVES “

HAMILTON 21 pts HILLHEAD JORDANHILL 13 pts

While never touching the heights of sustained excellence, this game had plenty for those
who like their club rugby served up with passion and excitement. For the “cub” reporter, it
provided also a useful set of descriptive “clichés” to mine: “ a game of two halves”;
“snatching defeat from the jaws of victory”; and “the game is never finished till the final
whistle blows”.

While never at any stage dominating Hamilton, the “Hills” had, by the 50th minute,
advanced to a 13 point lead, thanks to an opening Ross Curle penalty , an excellent Jamie
Hunter try and short range pick up and dive from no. 8 Murray Allan. The Jamie Hunter try
which allowed the “Hills” to reach half time 8 points up owed everything to an explosive
tackle by Stuart Ross in midfield which released the ball quickly to Andrew Eggleton who
made excellent ground up the left flank. When halted, he found Stuart Todd in support,
who then passed on to scrum half, Jamie Hunter, who finished off the move. The “Hills”
second try came from a close range scrum with the home pack a man short. A drive and
turn allowed the lively Murray Allan to pick up and score. Unfortunately, the normally
reliable Ross Curle was slightly off target with both conversions.

The fact that Hamilton were now adrift and approaching the final quarter did not sit well
with the home support who began to air their frustration with their team. This, combined
with the “Hills” losing Joe Stafford to a knee injury and their forward effort losing
momentum and focus, brought the home team back in to the game. Yet, the “Hills” were
still in it at 13 pts to 12 ahead with stoppage time approaching. But a converted try close
to the posts after irresistible home pressure and a penalty converted on the stroke of
fulltime took even a bonus pojnt away from the “Hills”, an outcome which few, if any , in an
increasing partisan crowd would have complained about.

“It’s a steep learning curve for many of our young players, but we have to learn to
compete for the full 80 minutes. Our decision making at time to-day was poor, but it is only
by operating consistently at this level can we expect to pick up better rugby habits. All
credit, though, to Hamilton for raising their game, but we should have closed it out,” said a
deflated Aaron Collins at the end. “ The boys know they have plenty to work on next week
at training, but I am confident we can pick up again.”

“Hills” 1st XV –David Frame, Cammy McCulloch, Andrew Eggleton, Will Marshall, ,Stuart
Todd, Ross Curle , Jamie Hunter, Joe Stafford ( Willie Brown ), Stewart McMillan, Bobby
Agnew ( Joe Stafford ), Marty Lane, Chris Tulloch ( David Fisken ) , Stuart Ross, Murray
Allan, Cameron Kerr ( C ) Subs – Adam Kemp, Andrew Cameron.

Next game for Hills - Gala at Hughenden on Saturday 28th October ko 3pm