Dumfries Saints v GHK Saturday 2nd April 2022

GHK travelled to Dumfries on Saturday knowing that one point would secure the Scottish National League Two title but keenly aware that Dumfries would be competing with all they had as every point was crucial to them in their own promotion fight.

Given the very tight nature of the encounter earlier in this season at Old Anniesland where the home side had come out on top in a thrilling contest by 31-26, and that GHK has always found Farm Park a very difficult place to win, the scene was set for what was to be a hugely exciting game with the result in doubt until just about the last play of the game.

GHK were able to field almost a first-choice squad with only Hugh Parker missing on wedding duties (Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hanks!) with Dan Temm deputising in the back row and contributing significantly.

Conditions were again close to ideal. A slight breeze which favoured the home side in the first half and firm underfoot conditions assisted both teams to play their natural running game.

GHK kicked off and the tempo of the game was fierce from the beginning. The visitors secured an early advantage when a Saints player was yellow carded and the resultant penalty was tapped and run with Craig Gossman going over in the corner. 0-5 after 6 minutes.

There was no further scoring for the next half hour which, unfortunately, included a lengthy delay due to an injury to a Dumfries player. We trust that he recovers quickly.

On resumption it was GHK’s turn to lose a man to the side-lines with Matt Smith spending 10 minutes off, Dumfries taking immediate advantage to score and take the lead with a successful conversion for 7-5.

The lead changed hands a further twice before the interval with first Gus North breaking and feeding Craig Gossman for his brace before GHK threw a gift of an intercepted pass which was gratefully accepted by the Saints to give them the lead at the halfway mark.

Half-Time Dumfries 14 GHK 12

There was no let up in the pace of the game as the second period got underway with GHK looking to regain the lead. They eventually did so after a number of phases of fine play with Dan Temm crashing over, again converted by Craig Gossman to take the visitors to 19-14 ahead.

The home side were far from out of it, however,  and narrowed the gap to just two points with a successful penalty with more than a quarter of the game still to play.

The penalty count was high as both teams continued to put in a huge effort on both sides of the ball and referee Tom French’s patience was stretched with both captains being spoken to, eventually leading to two further yellow cards for the home side with one being for the player who had already spent 10 minutes off, meaning he would play no further part in the game.

GHK seemed to have gained an almost immediate reward for their numerical superiority but Lewis Brock was adjudged to have been held up over the line and it remained a one score game until well into injury time when, perhaps fittingly, it was GHK captain Ben Frame who escaped the cover to score what could be described as GHK’s bonus point-earning, match-winning, promotion-confirming, championship-securing, relief-inducing, celebration-igniting try!

 Final score Dumfries Saints 17 GHK 26

A hugely competitive match from which Dumfries Saints were, indeed, unfortunate to gain no reward in terms of points to aid their promotion challenge. It will be down to the last few games to see whether it is they or Stewart’s Melville who accompany GHK to Tennent’s National League Division One.

For GHK it may not have been a complete performance with nerves understandably playing their part as payers perhaps tried a little too hard to make the vital play, but no one can doubt the effort and endeavour of all 19 players who took to the field.

Thanks to Dumfries President Sharon Hiddleston and her committee for their generous hospitality, kind words and delicious pre-match lunch for those of us lucky enough to be able to partake.

Dumfries chose Dan Temm as their GHK player of the match and not a decision this correspondent would disagree with, albeit that Saturday was very much a whole team effort.

Although GHK have two further matches to play – Falkirk next Saturday, 9th April and Glasgow Accies on 16th April – both away from home – it seems an appropriate time to thank all those who have worked so hard to bring about the success that has been achieved this season.

The players are front and central to that – not just the 19 who battled so hard on Saturday – but the 47 (at last count) who have turned out for the 1st XV this season. Well played one and all!

Just as it takes a village to raise a child it seems like a whole town is required to run an amateur rugby club. The 1st XV coaching team of Peter Wright and Cammy Little deserve special mention, not forgetting the contribution made in the first half of the season by Jack Cuthbert; our  2nd XV coaches and those who coach throughout the club; team manager Graeme Davidson and club captain Craig Rintoul who has been a constant support despite suffering a season-ending injury early on in his big year:   our fantastic team of physios: Elaine, Gill, Sian, Erin and Molly; Our Director of Rugby, Glenn – ‘some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them’ – Woolard; our hugely supportive sponsors, led by principal sponsor Cairnhill Structures; President David Rowand and his committee who carry out a  myriad of tasks in the background; the countless volunteers who help in so many ways in the Mini and Midi sections and throughout the club: and the small but growing band of supporters who travel to support the team. Some new destinations on the horizon for us all next season to look forward to.

As we build our ‘One Club’ approach at GHK, there is much of which we can be proud. On Saturday our GHK/GU Students XV clinched the West Regional Reserve League 3 North earning promotion to League 2 to go with the West of Scotland Regional Shield trophy secured by our U-18 squad the previous weekend. The future is, indeed, bright at Old Anniesland!

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