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| “HILLS” ON STONY GROUND Muselburgh 30pts Hillhead/Jordanhill 19pts Although relegated to SHE Premier 3 after the defeat the previous week at Burnbrae, “Hills” travelled with some optimism for their postponed fixture against Musselburgh at Stoneyhill, as it was Muselburgh who had provided them with their first win points of the season. The optimism was somewhat misplaced, however, as, after a bright opening twenty five minutes, the “Hills” fell away to lose by two goals, two tries and two penalties to two goals and one try. The opening quarter found both sides anxious to move the ball wide at every opportunity but it was “Hills” who settled first by establishing some good attacking positions in the Musselburgh twenty two, but good defence from the home team kept the visitors out. “Hills” made light of the fierce pressure Musselburgh extended in the scrummage to play the game on the front foot, but it took a piece of opportunism and quick thinking from “Hills” captain, David Mitchell to open the scoring. The right winger up with play was closest to the ball when the referee awarded “Hills” a free kick five metres from the Musselburgh line and their right touchline. Taking a quick tap, the captain crossed the line, taking three defenders with him. The try was not converted but the lead was no more than “Hills” deserved for their territorial pressure. But, as has happened so often this season, careless mistakes allowed Musselburgh back into the game when failure to clear quickly from a retreating five yard scrummage allowed Musselburgh to charge down the relieving kick and let the hosts in for a try which was easily converted. “Hills” then returned to the attack placing Musselburgh on the defensive , and such was the pressure applied that the home team lost their captain, Talac, to a yellow card. “Hills” were awarded a very kickable penalty just to the right of the posts, but instead opted for the scrummage. Although the ball was won cleanly, the attack foundered on aggressive Musselburgh defence, and half time was reached with the home team two points ahead. “Hills” performance fell away in the third quarter along with the weather with sleet and rain falling and Musselburgh took advantage of “Hills” poor concentration to convert two penalty chances. Then, following a series of drives on the visitors’ line. Musselburgh scored a try between the posts which was easily converted. That took the home team to 20pts to 5 ahead, entering the final quarter of the game. “Hills”, however, rallied briefly with Cammy McCulloch breaking clean through the home defence but support just failed to keep the momentum going. A try for “Hills” was not long delayed, however, with space being made to release fullback, Gus Twaddle, into space some 35 metres from the line, and the no. 15 galloped his way across the try line. He converted his own try, but Musselburgh were not long in adding to their lead. With “Hills” now chasing the game, mistakes occurred. First of all, a wild pass, when attacking from their own twenty two, could not be gathered by the “Hills” and the ball fell kindly for the home team to score unopposed in the corner. Then in winning a Musselburgh line out deep in their own twenty two, “Hills” chose to slap the ball down untidily, thereby permitting the home forwards to rampage through to pick up and score again in the corner. To their credit, the “Hills” continued to try hard and a third try came from the final move of the game. Its origins derived from a long break out of defence from left winger Ally Jamieson. His meandering run infield to the half way line found David Paterson in support and he raced to the line with two Musselburgh defenders chasing him fruitlessly. On conversion of the try, referee, David Crudge, blew for fulltime to scenes of joy for the Musselburgh support and players. This win confirmed their status as a Premier 2 side for season 2008/9 with Cartha QP consigned to SHE Division 3 along with their Glasgow rivals. “Hills” head Coach, Keith Robertson, was disappointed after the game: “We made too many mistakes. All credit to Musselburgh for their win but they did not have to work as hard for their tries, as we did for ours. Still to score three tries away from home gives us something to take from the game” “Hills” 1st XV – Angus Twaddle ( Chris Jubb ), David Mitchell ( C ), David Paterson , Dan Witko, Ally Jamieson , Cameron McCulloch, David Armstrong, Douglas Walker , Stewart McMillan , Blair McKenzie ( Paul Sheerin ), Douglas Wood ( Murray Bell ), Martin Lane ( Duncan McCartney ) , Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr and Stuart Rose Subs. All used. |
