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| “HILLS” DISAPPOINT AT JED Jedforest 41pts Hillhead Jordanhill 11pts In a very lively, open game at Riverside Park, “Hills” went down to a heavy defeat by three goals, one penalty try, two tries and one penalty to two penalties and one try. It was fast flowing game throughout, and “Hills” will rue the opportunities wasted by not making better use of the stiff wind in the first half from the town end of the park. A half time deficit of 6 pts to 15 was too much to make up in the second period. As is now becoming almost standard practice, “Hills” started poorly, conceding a try which was goaled within five minutes of the kick-off. Here, sloppy defending was to blame, allowing “Jed” to burst through unopposed. It was already clear, however, that “Jed” would be playing the game with the “ball in hand” with their stand-off, Clark Laidlaw orchestrating proceedings and cleverly mixing up long and short passes to allow all the “Jed” runners considerable attacking options. “Hills” did participate in the action, but their progress was due more to feeding off “Jed’s” mistakes, rather than any phases of continuity rugby. Kern Boyd kicked two penalties for ruck offences from 35 metres, but failed with a more ambitious penalty from fully 50 metres out. Even at one point behind, however, “Hills” were still not convincing with their line out stuttering to make any impression, and their scrummage beginning to concede penalties. Desperate defence from all the visitors was called for in the closing minutes of the first half, but “Jed” moved comfortably ahead with a penalty and a further try. The coaching staff showed their annoyance at the first half performance with five changes, only one of which was positional, for the second half. But the early exchanges continued to favour “Jed”, who showed no signs of abandoning their open game format and did not attempt at any time to put the “boot” on the ball. A controversial award of a penalty try, easily converted, after 48 minutes of play took “Jed” further ahead and the score then advanced to 29pts – 6 when the “Jed” right winger, after some clever phases of interplay between backs and forwards, raced over for try which was again converted. While it was a case of “too little too late”, “Hills” then enjoyed a passage of play in which an outstanding try was scored. Scrum half, Andrew Gillman, broke blind at half way, evading a couple of “Jed” defenders and off loaded well to Marty Lane, who was up in support. A touchline burst over 25 metres almost took him across the “Jed” line, but Douglas Crichton made sure of the touchdown with good support play. The score, however, only encouraged the Riversiders to up their running game again, and, in the final ten minutes, they added a further two tries, one of which was converted. It was a well beaten “Hills” squad, who left the field, conscious of the fact that they had played well below what they and their coaches know they are capable of. “This was a game which “Jed” wanted to win more than us,” said an angry “Hills” head Coach, Keith Robertson after the game. “We were very poor and we shall have to be much better focused. I exempt Andrew Gillman from any criticism, as he is beginning to play well again; Donald Robertson also ran well when he had a chance with the ball.. Training will be tough this week. It will be a big, must win game against Cartha next Saturday. It’s at Hughenden and I hope our supporters get right behind us from the first minute.” Hills 1st XV – David Mitchell, Andy Leslie , David Paterson , Will Marshall ( Andrew Eggleton ), Donald Robertson, Kern Boyd ( Will Marshall ), Andrew Gilman, Gavin Blackburn ( Nick McAulay ) , Ewen Weir , Joe Stafford , Stuart Todd ( Ally Moffat ) , Cammy Kerr ( C ) ( Marty Lane ) , Stuart Ross, Stuart Rose ( Cammy Kerr )and Douglas Crichton . Subs. All used |
