Hillhead Jordanhill 1st XV 38 points Hamilton Bulls 1st XV 7 points
The final margin of 5 tries to 1 suggests an emphatic win for the Hills. Quantitatively that would be correct ; however qualitatively the score flattered the hosts who for long spells, despite having the dominant scrum, were wasteful in possession. That takes nothing away from the visitors who stuck to their task well considering 3 of their players spent time off due to yellow cards.
Perhaps the first minute score for Hills by Jaysen Dwnley, who charged down a clearing Hamilton kick to show fine footballing skills to control the ball and then run in unopposed , prompted some complacency, but the rest of the first half was fairly turgid stuff. Hamiton soon equalized via a fine individual try from Burrell, their burly left winger. Rory Harte stretched the lead with a close range penalty and then the Hills forwards damaged their opposite numbers with a pushover try , credited to Ryan Reilly. The mid point of the game was reached with Hills 17-7 ahead.
The second half saw Hills move further into a commanding lead with 3 converted tries. Andy Readman finished from close range after a series of close range attacks; full back, Sean Black, the most dangerous broken play runner on the field. cleverly intercepted a promising Bulls attack to race in from 65 metres ; and left winger, Fionn Whyte touched down after taking a wonderfully weighted floated pass from stand off, Rory Harte. The no. 10 converted all 3 tries.
The second half scores masked some poorish Hills play with attacking moves drifting across the field and balls being spilled frequently behind the gain line. Although the Hills scrummage was consistently strong with replacement loose head, Nathan McCann, returning to the field after a 24 month absence due to illness, there was little resultant forward momentum generated. Second rower, Blair Colvin, seemed at times to be the only forward capable of sustained ball carrying.
This game concluded the first round of 9 in the new 10 team National league 3. Allan Glens are the next visitors to Hughenden on Saturday 11th with a 14.00 kick off time. Glens won the first game at the Bearyards 10-7 and with their improving form will fancy their chances at making it a double. Hills will have to find a few higher gears than they showed in this game to make it a contest.
