Kirkcaldy 1st XV 21pts Hillhead Jordanhill 1st XV 22 pts
Bernie Mitchell
It was an inauspicious beginning to this National cup semi final due to traffic delays on the M8 leading to a delayed start. But Hills resilience and spirited determination changed a half time deficit of 14-0 to a victory of 21-22 at the final whistle. This was no mean achievement given the fact that since the last meeting between the 2 Clubs in 2017, Kirkcaldy have played all their domestic rugby in a higher division to Hills and in that time accumulated much more rugby nous.
The early exchanges on a dry but cold day at Beveridge Park in the Lang Toon were fast and furious with both packs of forwards winning first phase ball and the threequarters spreading it wide. Initially Kirkcaldy held an advantage in the collision areas with their back rowers being stronger in the jackalling encounters, but Hills defences held strong. The visitors’ attacks were based on Rory Harte’s own chip and chase tactics and some close range lineouts in the hosts’ danger areas, forced by Harte’s kicking prowess from hand. Eventually. However, Kirkcaldy’s initial greater game awareness forced 2 tries due to fast hands, following some Hills errors. On the balance of play, the “Blues” were just about worth their half time lead but had they made enough of their wind advantage ?
In a second half of increasing intensity and active crowd encouragement, Hills fought their way back into the game, as the play raged back and forward. All their players expended maximum effort in pulling their side back into parity with 2 typical close driving tries, scored by Jaysen Denley, the open side flanker with Rory Harte conversions to follow. It was now the start of the 4th quarter and the game was in the balance. First advantage went to Kirkcaldy whose forwards put the visitors under scrummage pressure to provide front foot ball leading to a fine try which was converted. Now 21-14 down and the Hills response ?
The visitors continued to pressurize the “Blues” some of whose forwards were beginning to look weary. A break down penalty allowed Rory Harte to narrow the gap to only 4 points at 21-17. The momentum was now all with Hills as the master tactician, Rory Harte, pulled all the strings to encourage his team on. And they did with the closing try of the game scored by the effervescent Ginger Flash ( aka Damien Genocchio) who danced one way and then the other to touch down in the extreme right hand corner. The conversion was missed but it did not matter as the game concluded some 2 minutes later with the admirable referee, Calum Lazenby, blowing for full time.
There were then scenes of unconfined joy from the visiting players and their Ultras travelling support. The “Blues” players and supporters accepted their defeat with graciousness. This was a fine and deserved victory which takes the Hills into the National League Cup final at Scottish Gas where they will face Gordonians who won National 2 this season.
Murrayfield on Easter Saturday, the 19th April. But it was more : it was a wonderful display of Rugby from 2 very well matched teams which in these days of poorish field discipline spawned no signs of ill temper or any signs of yellow cards.
Well done to the “Blues” and the Hills.
Hillhead Jordanhill Squad – Damien Genocchio, Fionn Whyte, Andrew Brown ( Ciaran Callaghan ) Scott Halliday, Matt Murray ( Corrie Dicks ), Rory Harte ( C ), Euan Ward ( Angus Rutter ), Darryl Elvin ( Robbie Keith), Calum Weir, Liam Tighe, Charlie Smillie ( Ryan Reilly ), Giacomo Sanders, Douglas Price ( Archie Corbin ), Milan Marinkovic, Jaysen Denley and Calum Speirs.
