Both teams were looking to get back on the horse after back-to-back losses in October. That a mere two points separated the two teams in the bottom half of the table only added to the importance of a win on a decidedly dreich afternoon at Old Anniesland.

Thankfully the heavens closed in time for kick off but it was clear that whichever team made the fewest errors in the challenging conditions would be the victor. GHK made the brighter start by kicking smartly which caused havoc among the visitor’s back three players. After the winger dropped the slippery pill, GHK were able to secure good field position deep in the away half. The resulting lineout drive turned into a maul which allowed hooker Feargus Haston to build up some steam, peel away and crash over for the first score of the game. The tricky conversion was missed but GHK were in control.

It was not long until the hosts doubled their lead after an impressively intricate (given the conditions) backs move. The ball was released from the back of a scrum in the left-hand corner and somehow found its way to Rayan Trache who scythed through the middle of the opposing centres to slip and slide between the sticks. No problem for Owen McLeish from the tee this time.

The fly half then extended the lead with a simple penalty in front of the posts after a scrum infringement on the 22-metre line. So far Watsonians had barely entered GHK’s half and appeared to struggle to hold onto the ball or deal with the high balls that were peppering their outside backs.

GHK then scored what was perhaps the try of the afternoon after some neat handling from almost the whole back line. Trache caught a tricky ball above his head whilst running at full tilt down the left touchline before popping inside to Danny Campbell. The elusive full back dodged a couple of would-be defenders before he was brought down five metres out. Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to pop the ball off the deck which meant all the incoming Angus North had to was flop over the line. An excellent score with an equally exquisite touchline conversion to go with it. Only twenty minutes on the clock and the westenders were already thinking about bonus points!

However, Watsonians quickly got their act together and started to string some phases together in the opposing half. It took disciplined and determined defence on GHK’s line to keep out the visitors who were looking more and more threatening until a loose pass found its way into Trache’s open arms who intercepted and ran seventy metres before being hauled down expertly by one of the chasing pack. That was the last significant act of the half which ended with GHK leading 22-0.

Rather, it was the last significant act of the half that this writer noticed. When the two teams reappeared for the second half, an eagle-eyed observer in the main stand noticed that only fourteen had lined up for Watsonians and their inside centre was sat on the sideline looking cold and sheepish. If any readers can confirm why he helped himself to some stinking bishop at half time, please get in touch.

Being reduced to fourteen did not deter the visitors though, in fact it seemed to rally them together. They were rewarded for their bright start with a try in the left-hand corner after a patient and controlled lineout maul rumbled over the line. No extras but promising signs for the men from the capital.

Roles were reversed from the first half as Watsonians continued to grow into the game and spent most of the next period in GHK’s half. Now it was the home side’s turn to struggle with the conditions and a series of penalties inevitably led to the referee losing patience and eventually feeding Callum Moglia some Wensleydale.

Watsonians were now in the ascendancy and made the extra man count as they quickly scored their second try of the afternoon. The ball was spun from right to left and their winger dotted down to finish off a well worked try. There was only ten points in it after the successful conversion and it was clear that the visitors believed the comeback was on.

Though GHK’s discipline continued to let them down, they did look more threatening with ball in hand and should have put the game to bed with five minutes to go. North made a fantastic break on the halfway line, dummied his way past one and side stepped another before the ball inexplicably squirted out his hands with the line beckoning.

That was GHK’s last chance of the game as they spent the rest of it defending their own line from wave after wave of Watsonians attack. The pressure was finally converted into points deep into “injury time” when a penalty try was awarded for repeated scrum infringements. The final whistle was blown, and the hosts held on for a vital victory.

Full time: GHK 22 – 19 Watsonians

This was the epitome of a game of two halves. In the opening forty GHK played with a sense of maturity; kicking in the right areas, defending resolutely and attacking clinically. They pinned Watsonians back in their own half, applied pressure at the set piece and kept errors to a minimum. However, this narrative was flipped on his head in the second half. The penalty and error count rose dramatically and Watsonians found a way to claw themselves back into the game with patient and controlled attack and made far fewer mistakes. In the end, one got the feeling that if the game was to go on for another five minutes then the visitors may have left Old Anniesland with all four points, rather than just one.

To their credit though, GHK held on and any win in this division should be commended. There were a few stand out performers that deserve a mention. Paul Henderson and Martin Whyte scrummaged well, especially in the first half, and popped up more than a few times to provide go-forward in the loose. Angus Troop and Mark Preston both put in huge shifts in the engine room. Owen McLeish’s kicking from hand and off the tee was almost faultless. Ryan Trache had a busy afternoon as he took his try well, assisted another and relieved pressure at a key moment in the first half with a brilliant interception. He certainly earned his post-match cerveza!

Thanks to Watsonians for a hard-fought match with an exciting crescendo. We look forward to seeing you again at Myreside after Christmas.