You are here: Match Reports/2007-08/1st XV/Selkirk 23rd September 2007
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Click here for printable version of the report
Click here for photos from the game
Click here for the Selkiirk view
| SOUTERS SECOND HALF DELUGE Selkirk 52 pts Hillhead Jordanhill 15pts The early promise provided by a James Howarth 1st minute try later evaporated under a second half deluge from Selkirk, who finished worthy winners of this energetic Premier 2 game by seven goals and one penalty goal to a try and a drop goal from the “Hills”. Yet, despite not playing with anything like total control in the first period of play, the “Hills” put together frequent phases of attacking play to allow them several opportunities to build on their opening. But all they had to show for their pressure and field positions was a 14 minute drop goal from stand off Cammy McCulloch. Four goal kicking opportunities were scorned as was at least one try, following another burst from second rower James Howarth. Playing into the brisk wind which blew throughout the game, Selkirk could make little headway, apart from recording a Cassidy penalty goal but the latent threats of Harkness and Jones were a warning for the “Hills”, as they turned round 8 pts to 3 up. A précis of the second half shows “Hills” collapsing under the weight of seven tries, most of which were due to the speed of handling from the Selkirk three quarters who ran with real menace, always capitalising on the visitors’ mistakes, but equally talented enough to break the gain line at will. Try as they might, the “Hills” players were left playing “catch up” rugby for the second period, and suffered at times from an inability to protect the ball in the contact areas. Fragmented defence also contributed to the malaise, with Selkirk’s Lee Jones at scrum half providing an object lesson in broken play running. Any passages of continuity play from “Hills” were rare, but credit must be given to Stuart Ross for his tenacity in scoring what amounted to a solo try near the end of play, with Will Marshall adding the conversion with a quickly taken drop goal. “This was a desperately disappointing outcome for us,” said “Hills” head coach, Keith Robertson. “ We had more than enough chances in the first half to set Selkirk a considerable challenge, but we turned around only five points ahead, when the margin might have been at least twenty. This is a young side, which can only improve; but we shall have to develop more of a competitive instinct to allow us to win games.” “Hills” now face their second consecutive away game on the 29th September when they play Musselburgh at Stoneyhill, K.O. 15.00 hrs “Hills” 1st XV – Dan Witko ( Hamish Locke ), Donald Robertson , Andrew Eggleton , Will Marshall ( Dan Witko ), Hamish Locke ( Gavin Mahindru ), Cammy McCulloch ( Will Marshall ), Angus Twaddle, Gavin Blackburn ( Douglas Walker ) , Stewart McMillan , Douglas Walker ( Joe Stafford ) , Douglas Wood , James Howarth ( Stuart Rose) , Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr ( C ) and Stuart Rose ( Douglas Elder ). Subs. All used. |
