Hillhead Jordanhill RFC

Hills win against Cartha 10 27 see News section for match report and other results

There are no fixtures scheduled for this week

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This week's results

Cartha QP 10pts Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC 27pts

At 16.32 on a chilly afternoon at Dumbreck, Referee Colin Brett blew the final whistle on this SHE P3 game which saw "Hills" defeat their south side rivals by two goals, two tries and a penalty goal to two tries to become champions of the division for Season 2009/2010. It was, however, a much closer game that the winning margin might suggest with Cartha making their rivals work hard for their victory.

The pattern of play was influenced by the south west wind which blew diagonally across the open Dumbreck playing fields; yet neither side perhaps used the conditions as well as they might. The hosts, playing against the wind, had all the early pressure with their players testing the "Hills" with their mauling and pick and drive techniques. Fortunately, the visiting back row excelled in their defensive chores and Cartha's early incursions were repulsed to allow "Hills" stand off Cameron McCulloch to take play into the home half with a relieving kick from hand, and later a fine outside break. At the resulting breakdown, Cartha conceded a penalty and McCulloch casually converted the chance from the 22 metre line. This settled the "Hills" and gave them confidence to run the ball at every available opportunity and right winger, Archie Miller, took the chance to show his elusiveness by dancing through several tackles over a 30 metre run to take play deep into the home half. Three phases of play later from the breakdown after Miller was finally tackled, the steam road roller, aka Nick Macaulay, crossed the line to record "Hills" first try. This unconverted try gave the "Hills" more confidence that this might be their afternoon, but it was their collective defensive skills that were then given a thorough examination when the Cartha team took up occupation on the visitors five metres area. It seemed inevitable that a try would be conceded as Cartha drove and drove repeatedly at the "Hills" line, but the instinctive, predatory skills of full back Haddon MacPherson allowed him to intercept a Cartha pass in the shadow of his posts and scamper unopposed some 95 metres to the other end of the field to register his team's second try. This was converted easily by McCulloch and "Hills" were now 15 points ahead. This did not seem sufficient of a margin to defend in the second half, and the urgency to record another try was transmitted from the visitor's technical area. The opening came from a Cartha handling error as they tried to chase the game. Scrum half, David Armstrong, struck like lightning on the loose ball to set his three quarters away and running. When it reached left winger, David Mitchell, he was some 55 metres away from the try line with three men to beat. A side step and a well judged running line found him motoring away from the chasing Tony Nywangeso, who narrowly failed to tap tackle the "Hills" winger. Much to the jubilation of the large away support, the try was scored beneath the posts and Cameron McCulloch added the goal points to take the "Hills" to a twenty two points margin at half time.

It was important for the "Hills" that they did not concede any early scores with Cartha now benefiting by playing with the wind. Cartha's pack did not lessen the intensity of their efforts at ball winning, but the "Hills" defence remained vigilant Indeed, it was the visitors who looked more likely to score when Douglas Crichton executed a fine no. 8 pick up to make huge strides across the gain line to take the attack into the Cartha danger areas. The fourth and bonus point try was not long delayed, and was created by the field craft of McCulloch who spotted Cartha were vulnerable on the blind side of maul. Prop Steven Longwell carried the ball forward to unleash replacement full back, Andy Leslie, into space with left winger, David Mitchell running free outside. Cleverly, Leslie altered his angle of running to leave Mitchell more space in the wide channel with the wing responding with a final 15 metre dash to the line for his second score. This stung the Cartha side into action, as they had yet to record a score in a game where they had enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory. Their forwards, well led by Ross Gillies and Graham Williamson, tried harder, but the opening when it came was due to fine footballing skills of their coltish scrum half, Tam Davidson, who was sharp enough to spot the potential for an interception, which he gladly accepted to hare to the line for his team's first try. But the "Hills" were not for conceding too much and it took some more, determined strong arm wrestling from the home pack to set up an attacking field position from where no. 8 Gillies scored. This produced the inevitable response from the "Hills" and the last few minutes of the game were played out in the Cartha danger zone with "Hills" pressing hard for their fifth try.

The conclusion of the game witnessed scenes of unconfined joy with spectators and families joining in the celebrations. The SHE P3 Championship trophy was formally presented to Mr. Gordon Taylor, the President of Hillhead/Jordanhill, by Jim Stevenson, President of the Scottish Rugby Union, with numerous photographs being taken of the winning squad with excessive amounts of champagne being sprayed on all. A season which had begun at Park Farm, Dumfries, in August 2009 came to a successful end some 36 weeks later at the home of their Glasgow rivals, Cartha Queens Park, who had themselves made their visitors work very hard for their victory. The final word went to "Hills" head coach, Keith Robertson, who noted: " In April 2009 we were just beaten for promotion by Dunfermline. Grant Sweenie and I determined there would be no repetition of that, and here we are to–day. Well done to all the players, committee and supporters. We all deserve a wee celebration to–night."

Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC – Haddon McPherson ( Andrew Leslie) , Archie Miller ( Haddon McPherson ), Dan Witko ( Archie Miller ) , David Paterson , David Mitchell, Cameron McCulloch , David Armstrong , Steven Longwell , Greg Haswell , Nicholas Macaulay ,Marty Lane, Ed Rider ( David Fisken ), Stuart Rose , Donald Pitkethly, ( Douglas Crichton ), Stuart Ross ( C ) Subs. David Simm