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| NO WIN YET HAMILTON 26pts HILLHEAD/JORDANHILL 5pts Although “Hills” tried hard throughout the eighty minutes at Laigh Bent, Hamilton had too much all round strength in this SHE Premier 2 game, and won by two goals, one penalty try and one try to one try and thereby secured five league points. Conditions, wind, rain and a low sun, were such that the game was never going to be a classic, but “Hills” struggled to piece together much in the way of continuity play. It was noticeable that when Hamilton attacked they did so, however, with some pace and menace, whereas “Hills” were more laboured in their approach. The advantage of the elements in the first half were not fully embraced by “Hills”, although on the one occasion the visiting forwards got close to the line, they did enough with their rolling maul to allow Nick Macaulay to score. The try was unconverted, but “Hills” continued to struggle, their cause not being helped by a head knock sustained by Cammy McCulloch which saw him being led from the field. Progress during the first half was not aided either by the shoal of penalties which the “Hills” conceded when they incurred referee Andrew Healy’s displeasure for ruck offences. This took much of the pressure off Hamilton and gave them some encouragement to run the ball. Their passing between backs and forwards was good, and their two first half tries were well worked. Half time was reached with the “Hills” five points to twelve down. With the elements now in their favour, it seemed as if Hamilton would cut loose, but for much of the third quarter, “Hills” stuck manfully to the task of keeping their opponents at bay, and occasionally taking the ball into the opposition danger areas. At the heart of much that was good at this stage was captain and No. 8 Cammy Kerr with his bullocking charges at the opposition. Also, Angus Twaddle displayed many pleasing touches from full back. When the next try came, it was for Hamilton when, following a period of sustained attacking play, they drove a five yard scrummage towards the line which “Hills” countered illegally. The conversion of the penalty try was a formality and the game was now slipping further away. Also, it was clear that Hamilton were gaining in confidence and beginning to put together some good attacking moves by shifting the ball quickly to the wings. A further try was inevitable and it came through good ball retention and handling with a score close to the posts. The conversion brought the score to a comfortable 26pts to five for the “Bulls” The final eight minutes of play saw the “Hills” in command in the home twenty two, but making heavy weather of endangering the home line. Even with a flurry of five consecutive penalty awards, “Hills” did not seem to be able to unpick the well marshalled home defensive line, and Hamilton consequently soaked up the pressure to complete their victory, leaving the “Hills” still winless in their 2007/8 campaign. Disconsolate at this latest reverse, “Hills” head coach, Keith Robertson, noted: “ I was disappointed that we were unable to play with the same level of intensity we had against Biggar the previous week. I shall be looking at ways of raising individual and collective efforts during this coming week’s training.” Hills 1st XV – Angus Twaddle , Donald Robertson , David Paterson , Will Marshall, David Mitchell, Cameron McCulloch ( Chris Jubb ), Stuart Torbett, Gavin Blackburn ( Nick Macaulay ) , Ewen Weir , Nick McAulay ( Calum McConnachie ), Stuart Rose, Marty Lane , Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr ( C ) and Douglas Elder ( Stuart Todd , Mark Orr ). Subs. All used |
