You are here: Match Reports / 1st XV / West 17th March 2007
| “ NO DERBY DRAMA” HILLHEAD JORDANHILL 13 pts WEST OF SCOTLAND 25pts Apart from their opening penalty goal, “Hills” were always behind in this entertaining SHE Cup Tie, eventually losing to “West” by five tries to one goal and two penalty goals in very poor playing conditions. The foundation of “West’s success” was in their tight forwards display in both first phase situations with the “Hills” scrummage being disrupted on many occasions and their line out not always operating with its normal fluency. Yet, the home side should have done much better with the line breaking skills of Andrew Eggleton and Jeff Wright frequently frustrated through lack of support. An early Cammy McCulloch penalty goal was soon cancelled by a “West” try from Morison involving some good interplay between backs and forwards, and, despite “Hills” having the wind, their lack of quality ball make any kind of continuity play virtually impossible. A wayward clearing defensive kick allowed “West” an opportunity to attack, and once again some neat passing allowed a score in the opposite corner from where the move commenced. The half time lead of seven points for the visitors was deserved, and it was no surprise when, early in the second half, Mckechnie drove over, benefiting from a “Hills” defensive mistake, for the third try to take the “West” to an increasingly commanding cushion of 15pts to 3 ahead. This reverse stung the “Hills” into action with Frame, Eggleton, Kerr all prominent and from another good line taken by the “Hills” midfield, David Frame strode through to score beside the posts. McCulloch’s successful kick narrowed the gap to only five points, but it was to prove to be a false hope as a mixture of “West’s” stranglehold on the forward play and uncontested scrums due to “Hills” injuries saw the momentum returning to the visitors. “West” were able to close the game out with a further two tries to which the only home response was a further successful penalty goal from McCulloch. It seemed as if the only areas where “Hills” bettered their opponents on the day were in goal kicking and in sharper midfield play. By virtue of their deserved win, “West” now advance to a 6th round tie away against Kelso on the 31st March “This game was something of a set back in our recent form, but the Cup is now out of the way, allowing us to concentrate on the league” said “Hills” Coach, Michael Blackie. “We now have two big games against Biggar and Stirling, which can make or break our Season. Everyone is required to pull together now.” “Hills” 1st XV –David Frame, John Warchild, Andrew Eggleton, Will Marshall, Alan Cahoon ( Andrew Cameron ), Cammy McCulloch , Sam Muir, Joe Stafford ( Douglas Walker ) , Stuart Ross ( Ewen Weir ), Nick McAulay ( Cammy Kerr ), Chris Tulloch, Marty Lane ( David Fisken ) , Jeff Wright, Murray Allan , Cameron Kerr ( C ) Subs – all used |
