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| “HILLS” CAPITAL SHOW Stewarts Melville 25pts Hillhead/Jordanhill 32pts In their penultimate game of the 2007/8 season, the “Hills” achieved what they had failed to do in their previous 20 league outings and score four tries in their upset win against Stewarts Melville on one of the back pitches at Murrayfield. They also recorded the small matter of their first away victory of the season. It is difficult to be precise about the reasons for the change in fortunes, but the display and win were welcome tonics for the coaching staff, players and the disappointingly small away support which accompanied the team. Certainly, there was more evidence of confidence in the “Hills” play in their retaining of the ball and their building of phases, but there was also more willingness to run with the ball in hand. There was early evidence of good running from Dan Witko at stand off, David Paterson in the centre and Ally Jamieson on the wing, all benefiting from a crisp service from David Armstrong at scrum half. The first try, when it came, owed a lot to excellent snaffling of a loose ball by Marty Lane, which was taken on through a typical aggressive burst by Stuart Ross and finished off by Dan Witko, with Gus Twaddle adding the goal points. Similar linkages by this time David Armstrong with Stuart Ross allowed the rangy Dan Witko to stride through the Stew/Mel defence to record his second try with Gus Twaddle again adding goal points. Sensible captaincy from David Mitchell in respect of taking goal kicking opportunities allowed Gus Twaddle to take “Hills” further ahead to a 17pts to nil half time scoreline. Further good play at the start of the second half with the “Hills” forwards driving line out ball let hooker, Stewart McMillan, cross for his side’s third try. The conversion was missed but “Hills” did not yet let up and the impressive David Paterson, for the second time in the game, intercepted a stray pass to run some 60 metres unopposed and score between the posts. Gus Twaddle did not fail with the conversion and with some 58 minutes play the “Hills” found themselves 29 points to 3 ahead. It was inevitable that a lack of concentration then entered the play, and the hosts took their chances to move quickly to score 12 unanswered points, principally through their main danger man, Jimmy Moran, at full back. Sensibly, after re- establishing position in the opposition twenty two, a penalty was won, and Twaddle again kicked the penalty goal to take the “Hills” to 32 points. There was still time, however, for Stew/Mel to record a further two tries to bring deserved respectability to the final score. It was an overjoyed “Hills” squad who trooped off the pitch delighted with their winning performance. “ This was much better, and we have now scored seven tries in our last two games ” noted “Hills” head Coach, Keith Robertson. “Although we are relegated, these remaining games are important as we must build on positives to start next season in Premier 3. I hope we get a good support at Cartha QP for our final game on Saturday the 19th , and everyone there supports the players as they deserve it for their recent efforts.” Hills 1st XV – Angus Twaddle, David Mitchell ( C ), David Paterson , Fraser Brown, Ally Jamieson, Dan Witko, David Armstrong ( Chris Jubb ), Douglas Walker ( Steven Longwell ), Stewart McMillan( Stuart Ross ) , Blair McKenzie ( Douglas Walker ) , Marty Lane ( Douglas Crichton ) , Murray Bell ( Douglas Wood ) , Stuart Ross, Cammy Kerr ( Douglas Wood ) and Stuart Rose . Subs. All used |
