You are here: Match Reports / Sevens/ Killie 24th May 2008
| Kilmarnock 7s Result: Beaten finalists. Precious: Nice glass paperweight Team: Armstrong, Brown, Gilman, Jamieson, Robertson, Rose, Stafford, Torbett, Walker, Witko. Changes: OUT – Bell, Gibson, Kerr, McNaughton. IN – Gilman, Robertson, Rose, Walker. Seeking to shrug of the title of ‘The Jimmy White of Scottish 7s’, Hill’s went south once more in their quest for gold precious. Play player, part referee, all ginger, Rose returned to the fold as did Walker following his 11am selection. Robertson and Gilman were selected to make their debuts, with Gilman’s a particular cause of optimism – if ever there was a player who should know where the gold is, it’s him. Hill’s took to the pitch for their opening match against Cumbernauld with a squad of only 8. Stafford was lost on the Erskine Bridge and Jamieson was still wondering where it had all gone wrong. Brown immediately made his presence felt by dropping the ball over the opposition try line when it would have been easier to score. Thankfully Torbett with a clever dummy, Gilman with pace, Armstrong with aggression and Walker with flowing locks avoided Brown’s schoolboy error, all crossing to assure victory. Next up, Kilmarnock Presidents and the first visit of the day to the main pitch. Stafford’s first touch of the day saw him run the ball out of the dead ball area when it would have been easier to score – easily done. In a one-sided match Gilman (twice), Torbett, Brown (seriously), Witko, Jamieson (amazingly on the outside) and Armstrong all crossed to ensure victory. Now in the semi-final and a match against Ardrossan, a team who’s race appeared to already be run. Or perhaps they were just distracted by Rose’s hideous blue boots. Gilman showed his determination to get some precious with another brace, with further tries added by Jamieson (now reborn as an attacking force), Stafford and Armstrong. There was still time left for Brown to balls-up another try scoring opportunity following good work by Robertson. Up next was the opportunity to avenge their loss in the 2007 final with a rematch against Garnock. Hill’s immediately set about the opposition and conceded two cheap tries to hand the initiative to Garnock. Gilman, now salivating at the thought of returning home with precious was not about to lie down and following a break by Jamieson (you couldn’t make this up) scored to halve the deficit. Seeking to make changes that would turn the match around, but finding none, management turned to Brown only to be greeted by a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse about a lack of respect for his ‘artistry’ and a refusal to take to the pitch. Sadly, and now somewhat predictably, Hill’s conceded two further tries before a consolation from Rose left the result at 26 – 12, and a trip to collect more silver precious. Best for Hill’s were Gilman (last seen leaving the stadium with a bottle of Smirnoff) and Jamieson (eager to claim a free ticket to Murrayfield next week). IBBR: Even without physically attending the tournament, Bell was able to award an ‘unimpressive’ rating to the burgers. (Apparently the chip butty is the house speciality). Next up, a trip to Murrayfield and the final chance of the season to collect gold precious.. |