Stirling County v GHK Saturday 25th March 2023
Match Report
Very much the business end of the season at Bridgehaugh on Saturday as not only was a place in the next round of the Scottish Cup at stake but of far greater importance to both clubs was their continued presence in Tennent’s National League One next season.
For anyone not aware, league reconstruction, aimed at reducing the playing commitments for players, means that we are moving to four national leagues of ten teams from next season. For this campaign, however, the knock on effect is that the bottom three teams in National One will drop down to National Two a fate which, depending on Saturday’s result, could befall either or even both of the day’s adversaries. All to play for then.
With three games remaining the mathematicians had reckoned that GHK needed two points to be certain of staying up but that one point would probably prove sufficient.
GHK’s form in recent weeks had been much improved, with try bonus points accumulated in all but one of their previous six games with only a disappointing loss to Watsonians the exception amongst big wins against Gala, Dundee and Aberdeen Grammar and closely fought contests against two of the division’s leading sides in Ayr and Melrose proving that, on their day, GHK were more than capable of holding their own at this level.
Stirling County had, however, prevailed in the reverse fixture at Old Anniesland and were as desperate for points as the visitors.
As is to be expected at this stage of the season GHK were missing some regular starters including a particular lack of Anguses with Messrs North, Cooper and Troop of that ilk all absent.
Conditions were set fair, dry with a moderate breeze which favoured the home side in the first half, although the pitch had an end of season look about it having also hosted a match the night before.
After a fairly even opening 10 minutes it was GHK who struck first with a good break by captain Ben Frame finished off by full back Danny Campbell, who was to go on to make a hugely influential scoring contribution. Grant Anderson was on fine kicking form throughout and made it a seven-point lead.
Backs and forwards combined with some sweet handling for Campbell to go in for his second of the day to take the score to 12-0 with the visitors play seeming to grow in confidence.
GHK extended their lead even further after 25 minutes when a great break from the back of an increasingly dominant GHK scrum by Joe Stafford, who had an outstanding match, was taken on by the ever-willing Hugh Parker who, in turn, fed Frame for an outstanding score. 19 points to the good and heading for a straightforward win? Not GHK. I remarked earlier on their points scoring ability but there’s no doubt that they also have a generous/soft (take your pick) streak which has seen them concede some fairly easy scores.
So it proved here as County hit back with two tries in quick succession, the first, perhaps inevitably scored by fullback Jonny Hope who had been applauded on to the pitch as he prepared to play his last 1st XV match after many years with the club. A real club servant. Well played, sir. With a second score following so quickly it was very much game on at 14-19 with just a few minutes of the half remaining.
GHK again showed their attacking intent and it was that man Campbell, belying his veteran status showing great strength and agility to beat tackles and garner yet another career hattrick and gain the precious bonus point try. 14-26
County were to have the last word in the first half as well into injury time they brought the score to a much closer 21-26 at the break
The additional time played had largely been as a consequence of match ending injuries to two influential GHK players, Tommy Spinks and Jack Steele resulting in a fair bit of reshuffling as Ru Wintersgill and Martin Whyte entered the fray. A further injury to Kieren Boles meant that Ryan Moore was also introduced to the front row for the second half.
GHK’s line out drive has been an effective weapon all season if not as compelling today but it was a strong thrust that gave GHK their opening score of the second half with Moore securing the final touch. 21-33
GHK’s next counter was much more of an individual effort with Anderson gathering his own kick ahead and before touching down. Scott Davidson will be claiming an assist, we’re sure. Even the most pessimistic of the small band of travelling supporters – and there are a few who are that way inclined – could now rest easy that not just two but all five points were now secure at 21-38 with little over a quarter of the match remaining.
GHK continued to attack with purpose and, after a series of close range drives from the forwards the ball was released to stand off Anderson whose cross kick was touched down by who else but winger Campbell notching his fourth of the day. The large and vociferous home support were not at all sure that it had been properly grounded and the winger himself added some credence to that theory after the game as he reported: “Not bad. Caught the ball three times and scored four tries!”
We’re bound to report that there is no need to actually catch the ball when scoring!
County were to have the final say scoring a length of the field try to secure their own bonus point and bring the final score to Stirling County 26 GHK 43.
A huge win for GHK securing their place in National One in some style, pushing themselves to a respectable mid-table position in 7th place.
It was a tremendous team effort with everyone involved putting in a great shift, attacking flair very much to the fore matched by a determination in defence and competitiveness at the breakdown. The set scrum became increasingly dominant although the lineout was less tidy than in some other games.
The pack more than held their own. Paul Henderson and his front row colleagues put in their usual hard graft to considerable effect, Ali McLaurin prominent amongst them; young Leo Findlay restored in the second row, played with a maturity beyond his youth; Tommy Spinks before his forced withdrawal, Mark Preston and replacement Matin Whyte all made significant contributions.
Half backs Ben Frame and Grant Anderson varied the play, distributing efficiently, threatening on their own when it was on, and clearing the danger when necessary. Jack Steele had a couple of characteristic breenges before his enforced departure and both Louis Miller and Scott Davidson did all that was asked of them on both sides of the ball. On a day that was all about a whole team performance it would be remiss not to mention replacements Max Woods and Calum Woolard who have both proved to be loyal and reliable with Calum, notably, always willing to do whatever he’s asked for the cause. Neither put a foot wrong on Saturday!
Player of the Match
The quadruple try scoring exploits of full back Campbell or the huge work in the back row and latterly at centre of Joe Stafford? On such a momentous day your correspondent’s view is that both were equally deserving. Two bottles of Edinburgh Gin duly requested!
No report on Saturday’s match would be complete without a reference to GHK Head Coach Peter Wright who has announced his retirement after more than fifty years of playing and coaching. Those wishing to know the esteem in which Wrighty is held in the wider rugby community in Scotland only need to scan the replies to his announcement on Twitter. Not sure we spotted many from referees, mind you! There will be appropriate times and places for more on this but there can be no doubt that Peter has been a hugely significant part of the enormous progress made by GHK in recent years. Not one for showing a great deal of emotion after a match I think it’s fair to say he quite enjoyed Saturday’s game! Big shoes to fill.