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| Clydebank 10's Tournament 18th August The 2XV brought home the first silverware (or glassware) of the season by winning the plate trophy at the Clydebank 10’s tournament. Preparing us for the season ahead, the monsoon rain came down in torrential conditions as any hope of playing running rugby with a bar of soap was destroyed as the floods of north England briefly visited the west of Scotland. In a group containing Strathendrick and Loch Lomond, the Hills fancied their chances at getting some early season confidence and with coach Cahoon barking orders from the sidelines, they were under no illusions that to win they would need a blend of good teamwork and the odd spice of individual talismanic flair. Unfortunately in the opening game against Strathendrick neither were in evidence, and Utterly Butterly sponsored handling skills mixed with wet paper bag defensive lines let to a 7-0 deficit at the half time break. Hills answered back with a decent try when Andy “ Henson” gassed home from half way, but after that, they again lacked some basic skills and leaked another try beneath the sticks to which they could not reply. The ref pooped his whistle to leave a stunned crowd and Hills losing 12-5. The troops where down but not out and rallied well against a Loch Lomond side to roar back into life and won 26-0 with a couple of tries each from Todd and Rory. Also, special mention to Hoppy who ran about like a man possessed putting in tackles all over the shop keeping up good defensive work. The semi final put the Hills up against a Shawlands team, of which at least half of whom must have qualified for their bus pass, and indeed zimmer frames where at the ready by the sideline. An early score from Hoppy was followed up by another half way effort by our Gavin Henson winger Andy (WAG yet to be seen, but good tan none the less) and Hills looked good for another big score. However, the glove was on the other foot, as Shawlands managed a score before the halftime whistle in bizarre circumstances to leave Coach Cahoon with some meaty half time comments. The second half was pretty rubbish really and Hills just about clinging on to make the plate final against Calder. Strangely the rain actually stopped for a few seconds before the final, but then started again. Hills started the final well and again Andy “Henson” skated home after some rare decent handling in the backs. This was quickly followed up by another try by Todd and Hills looked set at half time for the win. Second half started as the first had finished with another try by some boy that I can’t remember, but Archie Mathieson did provide a scintillating killer pass for the score. 3 tries to the good and Hills were flying but Calder struck back with a score from first phase play. On the up, Calder scored another try however, the day was not to be spoiled for the Hills and when the final whistle went the crowd erupted in cheering and only 4 or 5 people died as a result of the pitch invasion as they clung on for the win. Must point out that post match burgers were good but WAGs on show were of poor quality and of large proportions in belly sizes. Captain Tulloch (who didn’t get sent off in any of the games) received the trophy to cheering and parping of train horns in appropriate manner. 2nd XV Squad: Nick, Hoppy, Callum, Archie, Tulloch, Matt, Ally Math, Jonny McClelland, Fraser, Percy, Gollum, Rory, Andy Henson, Stuart Todd |
