GHK continued their Tennent’s National 1 League campaign at OA with the visit of Biggar on Saturday. It’s been a season or two since the sides met in a competitive match, but games between the two have been keenly contested and tended to keep both sets of supporters on edge right to the final blast of the referee’s whistle. This encounter was no different.

GHK got proceedings underway defending the pavilion end. The initial sparring hinted at a possible superiority for Biggar in the tight. However that state of affairs did not persist for long and, with their first flowing move of the game, the home side took the lead after seven minutes with a smart touch down by Rayan Trache. The build up involved some clever interplay between Danny Campbell and Craig Gossman who combined to put the left winger clear.

Both sides looked to move the ball and make use of two lively back lines. The GHK cause was dented when Danny Campbell had to take his leave with what looked like an ankle injury. Prior to this, in addition to his trademark attacking bursts, he had been faultless in his fielding of several aerial bombardments. He looked to be on the top of his game. Jack Somerville was an earlier than expected replacement.

An exchange of penalties made it 10-3 to the hosts. On the half hour Biggar drew level with a try by hooker Andrew Orr, converted by Euan Bogle. Another close encounter between these two sides. Who’d have thought it?

As the half drew to a close, driven on by Tommy Spinks, Hugh Parker and Angus North, GHK started to claim the ascendancy both in terms of possession and territory. A kickable penalty was fired up the touchline by Grant Anderson. After a few drives from the line out, the ball was moved out right and then left. With the Biggar defence stretched, the ball was grubbered through and something of a collision/scramble ensued. Referee Lazenby adjudged that the GHK winger had been obstructed in his attempt to dive on the ball and that it was likely that a try would have been scored. A penalty try to the hosts and a yellow card to the perhaps unfortunate Biggar number 14 Ross Bradford.

GHK repelled the immediate Bigar response and got to half time with the score GHK 17 – Biggar 10

The OA XV slipped into gear from the kick off to the second half. They looked to have built on their positive end to the first period and had a bit of momentum. The lineout was working better. Combinations and good lines were creating space and making inroads deep in to Biggar territory. Kieron Boles and Daire Morelli replaced Ryan Moore and Martin Whyte both of whom had put in a shift. Surely GHK would capitalise on what was probably their best spell in the match? A classic Craig Gossman break took him to within fifteen metres of the try line, but as contact was made as the cover came across, it was evident that the home number 15 had pulled or twisted something. Not only was a try scoring opportunity lost, but another very influential back was lost to injury. Freg McCoss was required to take to the field on the wing (some distance from his usual scrum half berth) as the GHK back line was shuffled again. It also looked as though the tireless Angus North was suffering too. A man who never lies down without very good reason had required prolonged treatment on a couple of occasions.

Eventually, on about the hour mark, when the feeling was growing the GHK might have indeed missed their scoring opportunities, after some concerted pressure and drives, Ben Frame touched down for the third GHK score. Grant Anderson added his third conversion of the day. 24-10 to the home side.

Sadly, for those of a GHK persuasion, that was the last time that the hosts troubled the scorers. With fifteen minutes to go a converted try got Biggar back to within one score. Moments later Mark Preston, who had been having a fine game up to this point, got himself yellow carded for playing the man in the air. He could have no complaints.

GHK seemed to be managing the ‘man down’ period rather well. Indeed, they got back on the front foot and looked like the more likely for the next score. With eight minutes remaining, a gut bursting run and drive by Tommy Spinks seriously splintered the Biggar defence. As the visitors back peddled and scrambled deep in their own twenty two, it looked as tough a try was there for the taking. Well there was, but it went to Biggar as a long ambitious pass was intercepted by Biggar left winger Fergus Watson who romped home from eighty odd metres. A missed conversion meant that GHK still had a slender two point lead 24-22.

However, Biggar were not finished. Sensing that GHK were there for the taking, there seemed to almost be an inevitability when they claimed a further converted try. A generous handful of salt was rubbed deep in to the GHK wounds courtesy of a late, bonus point denying penalty.

Final score GHK 24  Biggar 32

Firstly, congratulations are due to Biggar who dug in, stuck to their game plan, didn’t panic when they fell behind and showed no little skill in taking their chances.  As is the case with most sides these days, there were a few young guys in the black of Biggar who showed great maturity and contributed significantly to the win.

For GHK, this has to go down as a sore one. The disappointment will be more to do with the manner of the defeat as opposed to the loss itself. A lot of effort and craft had got GHK in to what probably should have been winning positions, not once but twice, in the course of the game. At 24-10, having dominated the second half there may have been a feeling that the job was done.  It wasn’t. Then, having conceded the next score, the yellow card followed by the ten point interception try made life very difficult for GHK and gave Biggar just the lift they needed. In fairness, it should be recognised that injuries to key players and a patched up and re-jigged three quarter line didn’t help GHK keep their shape as the game entered a defining period.

The Edinburg Gin man of the match was the immense Tommy Spinks. Multiple restarts and clearing kicks seemed to be drawn to him. he caught and returned them all with interest and was an inspiration to his colleagues. Well done sir!

Also very worthy of mention is Leo Findlay who got well and truly stuck in and did not look at all out of place in this company. Rayan Trache knows his way over the try line. Another good day at the office for him too.

Next week the road and the miles beckon as we are away to Dundee, kick off 2.00. Today’s result means that this fixture is of even greater significance. The boys will bounce back!