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“ SINGING IN THE RAIN”

Hillhead Jordanhill 10pts Jed-Forest 8pts

With the last kick of the game, “Hills” stand-off, Martin Yorston calmly stroked his penalty
kick through the posts to guide his team to a merited victory by one goal and one penalty
goal to one try and a penalty goal in this Scottish Hydro Electric league game at
Hughenden. While there have to be “winners” and “losers” in any competitive game, both
sets of players and match officials could be congratulated on their efforts in participating in
a high quality game in very testing conditions, the last ten minutes of which would have
been instantly recognisable by Noah.

The game opened at a frantic pace on a surface, which although very soft, did not
deteriorate to any great extent, thereby allowing the runners on both sides to show their
skills. The “Hills” settled early, and opened the scoring after only 2 minutes through full
back, David Frame, who reminded everyone again what a dangerous player he can be in
the opposition’s danger areas when he glided over to score beside the posts, Martin
Yorston converting. That served to ignite “Jed”, who through the promptings of Laidlaw at
stand-off , were very dangerous in counter attack, but the “Hills” defence was up to the
task and managed to pin the visitors in their half for most of the first period. There was no
end of attacking play with Yorston showing considerable invention from the fly half position
with a variety of handling and kicking ploys, but the visitors defence showed the same
resilience as the “Hills”. The wind, swirling around the stadium, seemed to aid the “Hills” in
the first period, allowing most of the play to be in the “Jed” half, but despite the
considerable efforts of the “Hills” back row in which Jeff Wright was outstanding the score
remained at 7 pts to nil at halftime, at which point both sets of players and the officials
sought the warmth of the changing rooms.

Now, the visitors had the better of the conditions, and in the opening minutes of the
second half, “Jed’s” Gary Hill kicked a penalty to open the scoring for his side. It seemed
that this might turn the play for the visitors, but the “Hills” to a player decided otherwise
and upped their already considerable work rate. The final thirty minutes showed the
amateur game at its best with persistent attack(s) foundering on well organised defence
(s); amazing line out skills with a very wet ball; excellent handling and counter attacks; and
continuing commitment from both sets of players which saw a player from each side being
sin-binned. As if that drama was not enough, the final ten minutes saw “Jed” take a one
point lead with a line out driven try, and “Hills” having to lift themselves again. Martin
Yorston had two unsuccessful kicks at goal; there was an amazing rolling maul in which 12
of the “Hills” players joined but “Jed” repulsed; and then in the final passage of play, in
which the “Hills” had retained the ball well through several phases, Andrew Eggleton burst
through the centre but was impeded in trying to release the ball, thereby winning a penalty
for his side. In the “heat” of the moment, Martin Yorston retained his sangfroid to convert
the chance, and secure an exciting win for his team. Naturally, the home support and
players were ecstatic.

Make no mistake, this was an excellent advert for the amateur game to which everyone
involved contributed. Full marks to all the players and the match officials for a game which
could, given the conditions, have boiled over but was contested in a remarkable spirit.

“Hills” 1st XV –David Frame, Stephen Dewar, Andrew Eggleton, Will Marshall, David
Mitchell, Martin Yorston, Sam Muir, Willie Brown ( Joe Stafford ) , Ewen Weir, Nick McAuley
( Bobby Agnew ) , Marty Lane, David Fisken , Jeff Wright , Murray Allan, Cameron Kerr ( C
) ( Stuart Ross ) Subs – Andrew Cameron