| ONLY A BONUS POINT WON Hillhead Jordanhill 10pts Haddington 15 pts In a well contested game played in poorish weather conditions, “Hills” failed to hold onto a 10 pts to 3 interval lead and were eventually beaten by virtue of conceding a late try. This resulted in “Hills” picking up their sixth losing bonus point from a game where there were chances to win. “Hills” therefore remain rooted to the bottom of Premier 2 with seven league games remaining, only two of which are to be played at Hughenden. The closeness of the final score, however, belied the domination Haddington enjoyed in the opening quarter of the game where, apart from the set scrum, the visitors did everything apart from cross the line. The commitment to defence in which the “Hills” back row excelled, combined with the difficult playing conditions of driving and at times monsoon rains, kept the scoreboard blank. Indeed it took until the 24th minute of the game for “Hills” to lift the siege and cross the half way line in a breakout in which the ubiquitous Stuart Ross and Ally Wright were involved. Increasing scrummage pressure from the youthful “Hills” front row caused Haddington continuing problems and provided a launch pad for Cammy Kerr’s no. 8 pick-ups and bullocking runs across the gain line. A ruck infringement in the visitors twenty two allowed “Gus” Twaddle to open the scoring with a well judged penalty. “Hills” did not gather the Haddington restart kick off cleanly, and this led to a spell of pressure from the visitors from which Peters gathered their first points of the game with a penalty from some 30 metres. “Hills” responded quickly, however, by driving the play deep into the Haddington half and being awarded a free kick at their scrummage. The alert Andrew Gillman at scrum half took a quick tap and found the burly McAulay available as first receiver. Useful yards were made, allowing an off load to Cammy Kerr, who barged his way over by the posts, giving Twaddle an easy conversion. Half time and the warmth of the clubhouse was reached with the “Hills” in the lead, but Haddington having done enough to remind everyone of the potency of their backs if given the room to run. The second half found “Hills” playing to the Gartnaval end and enjoying the bulk of the territorial domination. It seemed as if “Hills” must score given the length of time they were camped in the visitors danger areas but, like the opening quarter, the scores did not come despite the controlled aggression of the home pack. Also, the apparent unwillingness of the “Hills” to be patient when in possession of the ball was a defining feature. The substitutions, particularly in the Haddington front row, equalised the contest, yet the home set piece was not really stretched. The final quarter saw the balance of the game restored to Haddington and it occurred when they had been reduced to 14, following a sin binning. The running strength of the visitors’ midfield saw the ball taken on the blind side of a ruck where “Hills” were short handed and passed through quick hands to let their stand-off, Peters, score in the corner. He could not convert his own try, but Haddington now had the momentum and “Hills” looked as if the energy sapping first quarter was beginning to tell as the visitors now began to shade the possession, despite home replacements being used. “Hills” were also reduced to fourteen when Stuart Todd was binned for a handling offence, and the clinching try was scored by Snodgrass through the middle of the field. Peters converted, and “Hills” and their enthusiastic support were deflated. The remaining five minutes were played out with “Hills” unable to mount any continuity in their possession or take the play into the visitors twenty two. Mr. Arola’s final whistle brought joy to the ecstatic Haddington players and travelling support, but grim resignation to their “Hills” equivalents. Head Coach, Keith Robertson, noted : “ We had our chances to take this game in its third quarter, but did not show enough patience in their twenty two”. Hills 1st XV – Angus Twaddle, Donald Robertson ( Hamish Locke ), Ally Wright , Will Marshall, David Mitchell ( c ), Cameron McCulloch, Andrew Gillman, Douglas Walker , Nick McAulay , Calum McConnachie , Chris Tulloch ( Marty Lane ) , Stuart Rose ( Duncan McCartney ) , Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr and Stuart Todd . Subs. Steven Longwell. |
