Falkirk GHK 7December 2019

GHK’s last road trip of 2019, albeit a relatively short one, saw Peter Wright’s team head to Falkirk. Despite there being several league places between the visitors and the hosts, recent visits to Horne Park have been pretty challenging for GHK and another tough encounter was anticipated.

Facing the driving rain and strong wind in the first half, GHK would have to be ready for action from the off to prevent the home side from taking advantage of the elements. Well, with the exception of a short period, GHK turned in an exceptionally tidy performance and claimed scores at intervals that seemed to deflate the opposition. The game was probably won and lost in that first forty minutes.

Retrieving possession from their own kick off, GHK played some really smart rugby in those first five or six minutes. Possession of the ball was prized and ground gained. Penalty concessions by Falkirk followed highlighting the pressure being applied. From one such award, Jack Cuthbert kicked to the corner. From the line out a couple of drives followed. Space was created and Hugh Parker crashed over under the posts. A well worked and deserved score. Fair reward for a period of complete domination.

With the gusting wind behind them, Falkirk overcooked the restart and GHK opted for a scrum on halfway. Despite a clear edge in the scrum, it was GHK’s turn to cough up a penalty or three. This gave the Falkirk boys a lift and a driving lineout secured good position. Another blast of the referee’s whistle signalled a home penalty and the three points were grabbed. The home side doubled their tally from another penalty after GHK strayed offside again. It was back to a one point game, 7-6 to GHK.

GHK recovered their early composure and given the conditions their close control and handling was top class. Home tacklers were drawn in by a series of drives and with the Falkirk defence trying to regroup, Ben Frame was though on a half break. A smart dummy deceived the final defender and the number nine was over by the posts. The GHK pack were bossing proceedings and even when Craig Rintoul was forced to retire with an injury the momentum was maintained.

GHK were doing what was necessary playing in to the elements. They were in charge in most departments and were turning on one of their best forty minutes of the season. Further scores from Cammy Hughes and Neil Callendar came before half time. Skipper Hughes’ score came about after a series of controlled drives and flanker Callendar was the carrier as the GHK pack rumbled over from a ten metre line out.

Half time arrived with GHK 26-6 to the good.

As the second period got underway set scrums moved to uncontested as Falkirk ran out of front row cover. This did not help GHK who had used their advantage in the scrum to good effect. Having secured the bonus point try in the first half, and playing with an albeit slightly gentler wind at their backs, GHK seemed to have difficulty finding the rhythm that had been so evident in the first half.

The game had become a bit stop start and the revised scrummage format did not really help. To be honest, there were not too many of what you might refer to as rugby highlights in that second half with the exception of the solitary score from Blair Hastie and Falkirk’s late rally that was well defended by GHK.

There was however a literary gem in the form of the final tweet on the GHK twitter feed. The mood was captured perfectly as ‘the rain returns with a vengeance as darkness falls and the final whistle sounds’. Evocative indeed. Eat your heart out William Wordsworth.  Final score Falkirk 6  GHK 31

Thanks to President Bill Faulds and his committee for the usual warm welcome. Both sides gave their all in very trying conditions. Falkirk showed battling qualities that should serve them well in the games that lie ahead.

The quality and level of performance in that first forty from GHK was top drawer. The players stuck to the game plan and it worked very well indeed. Experienced heads Hugh Parker and Kevin Bryce were exceptional. They carried well and shirked none of the gritty stuff on a truly mucky day. Indeed given those conditions it was a real credit the GHK backs that there was so much effective work done behind the scrum. Ben Frame managed the options well and Jack Cuthbert was influential when boot was required to be put to the ball as well as gaining valuable metres when carrying. However, the call for GHK Edinburgh Gin Player of the Day goes to Gavin McKirdy. It was not a day for wingers, but the GHK number fourteen was involved in much in both affect and defence. A very mature performance. Well done.

Next week – Stewarts Melville at OA – 3.00 kick off.  First against second in National Two. Can GHK do the double over the men from the capital?

Before the game there is the GHK Christmas lunch – there are a few places left but be quick and contact Mr Wood!  a.wood720@ntlworld.com