Click here for printable version of the report
| “HILLS” CUP OF WOE Hillhead/Jordanhill 10 pts Howe of Fife 15 pts On a yielding but eminently playable Hughenden surface, “Hills” succumbed to defeat by their visitors from Fife in this second round SHE Cup Tie by one goal, one try and a penalty to a goal and a penalty goal. The margin of defeat, although only five points, flattered the home side as, despite some honest individual endeavours from the “Hills”, Howe emerged from this contest as clear winners. Despite their scrummage in the first half creaking badly against the heavier “Hills” pack, Howe were stronger collectively and individually in field management, thanks to a top class display from their young stand off, Peter Horne who, with the wind at his back in the first half, kept “Hills” firmly in their half of the field. The young Howe team also used the ball better, benefiting from cleaner line out possession as “Hills” struggled to win and protect the ball on their own throw. There were too few phases of continuity in the first half for “Hills”, and they had to be content with a single penalty goal from “Gus” Twaddle on one of their few visits to the Howe twenty two. At the other end, Howe with some direct running scored two tries from Andrew Mclean, the second courtesy of a three to one overlap. The latter was converted by Horne via a fine touch line conversion, which added to his penalty goal. 15- 3 pts down at the interval, “Hills” needed to begin positively but despite having a good share of territorial possession rarely looked convincing with the ball, and frequently made many unforced errors. When their try did come, it owed a lot to the persistence of their two best players on the day, Marty Lane, who made the initial burst, and Stuart Ross who touched down beside the posts. “Gus” Twaddle converted easily. There was some consternation in the home ranks when Marty Lane thought he had crossed for a second try, but was brought back for a forward pass from Cammy McCulloch. In truth, however, parity in the scores would have been a travesty on the basis of the “Hills” performance. By the time referee Graham Knox blew for no side, the game having been extended by 10 minutes due to a worrying injury sustained by hooker, Steven Longwell, the “Hills” were well beaten with visitors, Howe of Fife, deserving their victory against their Premier 2 opponents. At the conclusion, “Hills” Hon. President, Bernie Mitchell, said: “ Good luck to Howe: on the day they were superior to us. I know our coaches and players are hurting badly. We now have to pick ourselves up for our final five league games. I am sure our coaches, Keith and Grant, will be treating these as five cup finals.” “Hills” XV – Angus Twaddle, Donald Robertson, David Paterson , Richard Harris, David Mitchell( c ), Cammy McCulloch, Andrew Gillman ( David Armstrong ), Douglas Walker , Steven Longwell ( Stuart Ross ), Blair MacKenzie , Duncan McCartney , Murray Bell ( Louis Le Grande ) , Stuart Ross ( Douglas Elder ), Martin Lane and Stuart Rose . Subs. Nick McAulay |
