Hamilton v GHK 25 January 2020
Cup business saw GHK make the short-ish trip to Hamilton to take on the Bulls.
In league action last week, Hamilton did a bit of a job on Dumfries, and down at Park Farm too. That was a reminder, if it was needed, that Hamilton’s mid table position was not really a true reflection of this side’s capabilities. This of course is GHK’s second visit to Laigh Bent this season having kicked off the competitive programme with the hosts just shading what turned out to be a try fest by a mere four points out of a total of seventy six. (Forty points to thirty six for those who are struggling with the maths).
Anyway, to our tale. GHK started brightly playing in to a bit of a breeze. They retrieved their own kick off and some assured handling and purposeful phases saw them settled in the home twenty two. It was no great surprise when Ben Hutton crossed after the defence was stretched. Jack Cuthbert added the extra two. Simple, structured rugby. It looked good.
Hamilton bounced back and before they secured their equalising try they had another disallowed after the officials had a goal line consultation. GHK were in part the authors of their own misfortune with the normally reliable defensive line looking a bit off colour. When they got in to decent field position GHK did look threatening. So, when GHK had a scrum on the right just inside the Bulls’ twenty two, crisp handling and a bludgeoning break by Cammy Hughes created space for Gavin McKirdy. The right winger had strayed from his beat and strode over by the posts. The visitors’ lead was restored to seven points.
Play was a bit scrappy with a lot of stoppages for infringements spotted by referee Calum Worsley. The momentum looked to have swung to the home side. There was an energy about their pack and stand off Andrew Wilson mixed it up nicely. Only an amazing cover tackle by Ben Hutton and Blair Forsyth prevented a sweeping Hamilton move claim their second try.
A penalty brought the hosts to within four points. Neil Callander was yellow carded for what was judged to have been a high tackle. Thankfully the GHK defensive effort upped the intensity and held out with no further damage sustained either during the flanker’s absence nor the remainder of the first half. Half time 14 -10 to GHK
GHK had a bit of wind assistance in the second period. Another Jack Cuthbert penalty restored the seven point advantage and there was a hope on the part of the travelling support that the visitors would go on and build on thatcushion. Hamilton had other ideas and within a couple of minutes had drawn level thanks to another well worked try. This seemed to give the Bulls a belief that they could go on and get the job done. They nearly broke through again on a couple of occasions but the GHK defence somehow held firm.
GHK, despite the breeze, did not manage to play much of the game in Hamilton territory. However, as the regulation eighty minutes ran down there did appear to be a couple of opportunities at least put Hamilton deep in their own twenty two, but the accuracy of execution was not there. With bodies tiring and no clinching score extra time came calling.
The sides turned round again and it was Hamilton who had the wind assistance. However, it was GHK who looked to have a wee bit more in the tank and from nowhere, on the evidence of what had gone on before, they achieved a significant degree of scrum dominance. GHK managed to get planted unco right (as a Mr Burns once said) in the Bulls twenty two. That edge in the scrum coughed up a few penalties. A shot at goal slid by. For probably the first time since the opening stages of the match Hamilton struggled to take play away from deep in their own half.
However, the hosts were still sticking to their tackling duties and nothing was being given away. Again GHK did not make the best of what seemed like a couple of reasonable openings with space (and speed) beckoning out wide. With the clock running down thoughts were turning to what happens if we are still all square after the extra period? Thankfully, we did not have to bother about that as Kyle Henderson dropped a goal with about two minutes remaining. GHK claimed the restart and protected possession for the remaining moments. Captain Hughes was heard to ask the referee ‘how long to go’?. As he cleared the ball in to touch moments later we can guess the answer. We were all done.
Full time Hamilton Bulls 17 GHK 20
A very close run affair – just like in September. This time GHK prevail with an even narrower margin than in the league encounter. Both squads deserve great credit for such a keenly fought match. There will be some tired bodies that is for sure. GHK proceed to the semi final stage where they join Lasswade, Howe of Fife and either Preston Lodge or Stewart’s Melville.
The GHK Edinburgh Gin man of the match went to Neil Callander – another stalwart performance. There were also notable contributions from the try scoring wingers Ben Hutton and Gavin McKirdy and not just for their touchdowns. Hugh Parker claimed much of GHK’s line out ball and competed tirelessly against an opposing eight that had an edge in the touch line battle. The GHK front row did well, especially in that last twenty minutes. Kevin Bryce saw a lot of the ball in the loose and it always came back on the GHK side. Andrew McCulloch also made an impact off the bench in both the tight and other duties. Life in the old doc yet.
With the GHK 2nd XV winning 44-10 against Ayr/Millbrae and our GHK Students team triumphing 20-10 at Hllhead/Jordanhill it was a very good day for the Old Anniesland club.
If you fancy another helping of GHK and Hamilton then you don’t have long to wait as battle is resumed this Friday at Old Anniesland in what is GHK’s only home fixture in January. Kick off is 7.30. There will be pre-match food available. Watch the website and social media.