GHK v KELSO RFC

Having secured their National One status for next season last Saturday, (a comprehensive account can be found in last week’s extensive report) GHK welcomed title chasing Kelso to Old Anniesland for their last home fixture of the 2022/23 season. In addition, head coach Peter Wright was bidding his OA farewell after another successful stint in charge at GHK. As the game unfolded, there were a few incidents that caused the coach to engage full ‘Wrighty’ mode.

Defending the pavilion end (or attacking the Accie end if you prefer), GHK continued where they left off at Bridgehaugh last week. Taking the game to the table toppers, home pressure planted GHK deep in the Kelso twenty two. A few defensive penalties kept the pressure on and as the tackling became a bit more frantic GHK capitalised with hooker Angus Cooper being driven over after another quick tap. Grant Anderson’s conversion was just wide of the mark, but it was a lively and impressive start from the hosts.

Not surprisingly, Kelso eventually worked through the gears and their powerful ball carrying pack punched holes and found good field positions. There was a sense of inevitability that, when they spent a prolonged period camped deep in the home red zone, points would follow. They drew level with a try that was the culmination of a series of hefty forward drives.  GHK had done well to hold fast for as long as they did, but eventually the numbers ran out. A missed conversion kept the scores tied, but the visitors edged ahead on the twenty minute mark with a score following a driven line out. Ten points to five for the league leaders.

GHK fought back well and, aided with a bit of a breeze, they were able to keep play in the Kelso territory. The referee was not a popular figure with the Kelso contingent on field and off. However, he’s the man in charge and they really should have known better. They were being ‘pinged’ regularly and, despite a couple of conversations with the Kelso captain, the offending continued. Inevitably a card followed and the Borderer’s scrum half was shown yellow. Despite dominating possession and territory GHK were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage in what remained of the first period. At the break it remained  GHK 5 Kelso 10.

Whatever was said by the Kelso coaching team at half time, it rather looked as though they had overlooked the reminder to ‘play the referee.’ A few minutes after the restart the visitors’ middle row was carded for a deliberate trip. This time GHK did take advantage. After a spell of threatening pressure, Grant Anderson fed Gus North who crossed for the equalising touch down. In keeping with the kicking trend of the match to date the conversion slipped by.

Restored to fourteen, it was Kelso’s turn to gain the ascendancy in terms of territory. Having successfully repelled the forward drives, GHK might feel that when the third Kelso try of the day was claimed, it was probably of the maybe a bit easy category as they crossed wide right. No surprise. No conversion.

Keen to get the bonus point try, Kelso took a quick tap in mid field despite GHK protests that the offence, such as it was, had taken place a good distance away. Anyway, the Kelso drives punched holes and, with the home defence stretched and disrupted, a cross kick was expertly fielded by the Kelso number 13, who had looked very lively all day, and he dotted down for the fourth try for the men in black and white. He also bucked the trend and converted his own try. 22-10 to the visitors.

GHK kept at it and made the champions elect work for everything. However, the only other scoreboard activity saw Kelso, via a replacement centre, kick a penalty so as to take them beyond a two scores lead. With a bit more composure, GHK might have added to their tally, but in fairness the visitors’ defence was stubborn. Perhaps the most notable episode of the closing stages involved the Kelso middle row who had been shown yellow earlier in the half. Having returned to proceedings he was adjudged to have offended once more. To make matters worse, he appeared to give vent to his frustration by telling the referee what he thought of his decision. A further yellow was shown which of course doubled up to red. All rather unnecessary. Red card, red mist!

The game cruised to a conclusion with Kelso having got what they required and GHK having given the league leaders a proper run for their money. Final score GHK 10 Kelso 25

Congratulations to Kelso. The league title looks like theirs for the taking barring the most unlikely of circumstances. Good luck in what remains of this season and beyond.

GHK did more than give a good account of themselves. They competed very well with the best team in the league and did indeed give them an uncomfortable afternoon at times. They did coach Wright proud on his last official outing at OA. There were a few flash points when the dulcet PW tones were to be heard from the touchline, most noticeably when GHK had difficulty in getting their replacement hooker on, but by and large all was calm on the touch line. Thanks for all you have done for the Club, Peter. You know that you are always welcome at Old Anniesland.

There were many excellent performers on the home squad. Craig Gossman was steady under the high ball and his own kicking game gained multiple yards. Same goes for Grant Anderson. Gus North and Louis Miller formed a threatening partnership in the middle and also restricted the opposition in terms of any midfield creative efforts. As you would expect when facing a Border outfit, the GHK pack had to front up and this they did. In the tight, things were pretty even, although it did take GHK a while to work out what was the optimum target in their own lineout. In the loose, Tommy Spinks, Joe Stafford and Mark Preston did indeed take the game to the opposition with numerous ferocious drives between them. Hugh Parker was everywhere. It was an excellent forward effort all round.

The Edinburgh Gin man of the match was Ben Frame. He was immense in defence and attack and led the side well, keeping the opposition on the alert throughout. Well done Ben, richly deserved.

The remaining league game sees GHK travel to Biggar on April 15, kick off 3.00.