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You are here: Match Reports/2007-08/1st XV/West 1st September 2007

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UNLUCKY THIRTEEN FOR “HILLS”

Hillhead Jordanhill RFC 15pts West of Scotland FC 17pts

In a game where both sides showed early season rustiness in terms of poor handling skills
and, at times, ball retention, “West” eased ahead to win only in the last five minutes from a
penalty try conceded by “Hills” when they had only seven forwards, Stuart Rose having been
sin binned just before. Despite a final frantic few minutes, it was unlikely that there was any
way back as the home team had been further reduced in numbers with Joe Stafford entering
the “bin” immediately following the award of the try.

Yet it was “Hills” that were ahead from the 22nd minute following an equalising penalty goal
from scrum half Andrew Gilman, countering that from West’s Stephen O’Donnell. But in truth,
most of the first half, although of honest endeavour and effort, was of poor fare with both
sides guilty of basic handling errors and constantly cutting inside, while ignoring the “wide”
boys on the wing, all of whom seemed hungry for the ball. Although the “West” scrum drove
their opposition at times, there was no clear domination and referee, Gary Gordon, penalised
both sides for front row offences. The game badly needed a try and it came from “Hills” when
stand off Cammy McCulloch sensed some space on the blind side of a scrum, transferred the
ball quickly via David Paterson to left winger “Mini” Mitchell who made good ground down the
“West” right hand flank, and, with a spectacular basketball overhead pass, found Marty Lane
in support. Marty, more “beanpole” than “pine tree” scampered in for the try beneath the
posts for Gilman to add the conversion points. “Hills” were now 10 points to 3 ahead with the
breeze at their backs in the second half.

It was not too long , however, until “Hills” extended their lead with a fine try in the left hand
corner. David Mitchell began the play, fielding a wayward “West” kick to start a fine handling
movement involving Cammy McCulloch and Will Marshall with finally Stuart Ross, playing his
100th National League game for “Hills”, claiming the try. Rather than trying to play the game
in the “West” half, some loose play detracted from the “Hills” earlier efforts, and allowed the
visitors to begin to dominate. At last “West” engineered some space for their danger man,
Ben Wright, and he ran in to score a fine try in the left corner, which Stephen O’Donnell
converted with an excellent kick from the touchline. This was a “double whammy” for the
“Hills” as their main line-out forward, Marty Lane, was injured trying to save the try, and the
loss of his control of the touchline contributed to the “Hills” undoing in the final quarter.

“West” now began to raise their efforts, and it took some desperate defence, in which Will
Marshall excelled, to stop the visitors adding to their score. The game was now sited in the
“Hills” danger areas with the visitors monopolising the line-out and controlling the second
phase. Stuart Rose’s dismissal produced a predictable “West” onslaught on the home line.
The rolling maul was finally held up over the home line, but the resulting scrum, against seven
“Hills” forwards collapsed as the visitors drove to the line. Referee Gary Gordon had no
doubt it was a penalty try, and Stephen O’DonnelL kicked the conversion high and handsome
between the posts to take the visitors two points ahead. Although the “Hills” were reduced to
just 13 players, they did strive manfully to snatch a score in the remaining three minutes of
play, but there was no way through a resolute defence, and the “West” held out to record
their first win in SHE Premier division 2, with “Hills” having to console themselves with a bonus
point.

“ I am disappointed, but not deflated by the defeat”, said “Hills” head Coach, Keith
Robertson. “We fielded three young backs and it showed them they can compete at this level
in the game. We have to tighten up in several areas, but we can take a lot of pride from this
performance. I cannot wait to get them organised at Tuesday night training”

“Hills” 1st XV – Dan Witko, Gavin Mahindru, David Paterson, Will Marshall, David Mitchell,
Cammy McCulloch, Andrew Gilman, Gavin Blackburn, Ewen Weir ( Stewart McMillan ), Nick
McAuley ( Joe Stafford ), Stuart Rose, James Howarth ( Douglas Wood ), Stuart Ross,
Cammy Kerr ( C ) and Marty Lane ( C )