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| “HILLS” LOSE AT RUBISLAW ABERDEEN GRAMMAR 32pts HILLHEAD/JORDANHILL 10pts On a pitch heavy from continuous overnight rain, “Hills” put up a brave fight over the 80 minutes but eventually succumbed to a more physically imposing team by two goals, there tries and one penalty goal to a goal and a penalty. It was a game in which Grammar took their chances, most notably from lineout takes and drives close to the “Hills” line. Two of the first three opposition scores were down to driving mauls, which were unstoppable given the size of the Aberdeen pack and the surface. Yet, “Hills” were not always on the defensive with Andrew Eggleton, in particular, always anxious to have a go at the crossing the gain line. But there were precious few passages of continuity play, and what few chances came close to the Aberdeen line were not taken. A solitary penalty kick at goal from debutant, Stuart Torbett, was the only reward “Hills” took from the first half.. At 15-3 down and with 40 minutes left, “Hills” were not out of it, but a poor lapse when in attack - the ball was ill directed from a break down – led to Grammar hacking through from 60 metres to score. A further “catch and drive” from the opposition produced the fourth bonus point try, and this led to a flurry of replacements from the “Hills” bench. Despite continuing good work from all the “Hills” players, Aberdeen moved further ahead with a converted try, although the “Hills” players felt aggrieved that a midfield “crossing” had not been picked up by the match officials. At 32-3 down, “Hills” were now well out of contention, but their spirited play did not desert them. Replacement prop, Joe Stafford, should have scored when put through, but selflessly offloaded and the chance was lost. Further committed play with Cammy Kerr at the heart led to a series of free kicks close to the Aberdeen line, and from one, Stuart Ross, the most consistent “Hills” player on the day crossed close to the posts to give scrum half Torbett an easy conversion. More play on the Grammar line produced two yellow cards for the home team, but no further score. “Hills” then left Rubislaw defeated, but unbowed following a performance which belied the final scoreline. “Hills” assistant coach, Grant Sweenie noted : “ Our scrummaging was excellent against a much heavier Grammar pack but unfortunately we could not build on our good work there. The spirit and commitment from all the players was great. We should have tried to capitalise when Aberdeen lost a man to the bin at the end of the first half but nothing came of that, and the 50-50 decisions in the game seemed to go against us.” Hills 1st XV – Andrew Eggleton , Donald Robertson , David Paterson , Will Marshall, David Mitchell ( Kyle Bennie ) Cameron McCulloch, Stuart Torbett, Gavin Blackburn , Ewen Weir , Nick McAulay ( Joe Stafford ) , Martin Lane ( Jamie Howarth ) , Stuart Rose , Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr ( C ) and Douglas Crichton ( Ally Moffat ) . Subs. All used |
