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| UNLUCKY THIRTEEN FOR “HILLS” Hillhead Jordanhill 17pts Selkirk 27pts In a fast, free flowing game on a dampish but eminently playable Hughenden pitch, “Hills”, 17 points adrift at halt time, stormed back to tie the scores at 17 pts all with eleven minutes left, but just failed to maintain their momentum, finally going down by 27 points to 17. Selkirk, by virtue of their four tries, therefore secured for themselves five points to maintain their place in the pack chasing for a promotion spot; while “Hills” continue to seek their first victory in season 2007/8 campaign. Yet, it could have been so different if “Hills” had taken the chances which came their way in the first half of this absorbing contest. Cassidy, a class act at full back throughout for the visitors, had missed an early penalty kick; and “Hills” were very much on the back foot for the opening exchanges until Donald Robertson intruded cleverly from the blind side wing to release David Paterson on a run to the line. A 22 metre drop out was a poor reward for this enterprising piece of play, as was a defensive scrum when Jamie Howarth burst away from a maul on the 10 metre line and hared for the line only to release his pass to the supporting David Mitchell too late to avoid his being engulfed by the Selkirk defence. This stung the “Souters” into action, and, from a midfield ruck, fast hands set Lee Jones scampering down the left wing to open the scoring in the corner with Cassidy converting. Further pressure resulted in a Cassidy penalty goal; and then failure by the “Hills” defence to respond quickly to a free kick saw Selkirk attack again at speed with good interplays in their back line. Unfortunately, an overeager home defence flew up far too quickly leaving the Selkirk attacker, Cassidy, too much room in which to operate. A converted try resulted. Whatever was said at half time by “Hills” head Coach, Keith Robertson, transformed the home fifteen, as for the third quarter of the match they took the game to Selkirk with a passion which has absent from their play for most of the season. An early burst through a line out and a charge to the line by the flame haired second rower, Stuart Rose, was the catalyst for an all consuming domination of the visiting eight. Although the initial burst was held up, it was not too long before prop, Calum McConnachie, playing in only his second game for the 1st XV, burrowed over the line to present Stuart Torbett with an easy conversion. Further play took place in the Selkirk twenty two, where the “Souters” conceded two ruck penalties, the second of which Torbett goaled to move the “Hills” to within a score of their opponents. Selkirk’s poise had departed, and it was no surprise when, with the visitors losing a player to the “bin”, “Hills” tied the scores when Stuart Todd showed great strength to touch down just to the right of the posts. This try was converted and the scores were level. Selkirk were now, however, restored to full strength and had rung some changes off the bench. The force which had been with the “Hills” began to wane due to their inability to play the game in the Selkirk half of the field, caused by their desire to handle from broken play rather than use the “boot” and the conditions to gain territory. Unfortunately, the “Hills” suffered two hammer blows with Selkirk running in tries in the last few minutes, although there was a suspicion that one, on another day, might have been deemed in touch. On paper, a side outscoring their opposition by four tries to two deserves to win, but it was depressing for the “Hills” to take nothing from a game to which they had contributed so handsomely. Certainly, the enterprise and skills of McVie, Cassidy and the rest of the Selkirk backline were impressive, but the Selkirk forwards knew they had been in a game when the final whistle was blown. “Hills” head Coach, Keith Robertson, was defiant in defeat : “ We shall make the breakthrough soon. One bounce of the ball in this game would have given us a much closer game” “Hills” 1st XV – Angus Twaddle, Donald Robertson , David Paterson ( Hamish Locke ) , Ali Wright, David Mitchell, Will Marshall, Stuart Torbett, Gavin Blackburn ( Steven Longwell ) , Stewart McMillan , Calum McConnachie, James Howarth ( Stuart Todd ), Stuart Rose ( Duncan McCartney ), Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr ( C ) and Martin Lane. Subs. All used. |
