GHK v Stewart’s Melville RFC 29^th January 2022

GHK produced a tactical masterclass against a talented Stewart’s Melville side to secure a bonus point victory at Old Anniesland.

The second top of the table clash of the season promised to be an entertaining encounter given the attacking intent of both sides and it did not disappoint. Though the visitors were kind enough to bring a bitter easterly wind with them, this did not deter the two teams from throwing the ball around. Nevertheless, GHK’s management of the challenging weather conditions proved to be the difference between the two sides. I make no apologies for the number of forthcoming wind puns.

Much of the opening ten minutes were spent around the halfway line as GHK, playing into the wind, made it clear that they were happy to hold on to the ball and wait for their opponents to make a mistake. Ben Frame showed sharp thinking with a couple of quick tap penalties and breezed through before offloading to Dan Temm who made a number of yards behind the Stew Mel defensive line. Another quick tap from Jack Steele released Feargus Haston in the far- right hand corner. The hooker huffed and puffed and thought he had scored but for a foot in touch. The attacks came to nothing but the intent was obvious; kicking was a last resort and GHK were not afraid to have a go from anywhere.

GHK’s first try started with a driving maul twenty metres out from Stew Mel’s line. A few pick and guuus later created the opportunity for pint sized tighthead Ryan Moore to bowl his way over from short range. Steele added the extras.

Stew Mel finally got their hands on the ball for an extended period of time but some sturdy defence led by the West End’s resident lumberjack David Patterson meant the visitors were kept scoreless. GHK regained possession on the halfway when play was stopped for a late hit from Stew Mel’s hooker on temporary stand-off Craig Gossman. He helped himself to an early cheese board and sat on the naughty step for ten minutes.

GHK’s ability to hold on to the ball for numerous phases was impressive and was forcing the depleted defenders to commit countless penalties at the breakdown. It was not long before this pressure turned into points as Gossman danced his way over from ten metres to out to score under the posts. Steele nailed the conversion to make it 14-0.

GHK continued to make line breaks around either side of the ruck with Temm, Parker and Steele all making prominent contributions. A third try soon followed and once again it began with a tap and go – this time from Temm. A few phases later and the blindside finished what he started and crashed over. Steele’s conversion came off the uprights this time.

Despite being three scores down, Stew Mel were not going to be blown over easily. They regained the kick-off before kicking a penalty deep into GHK’s half. Though there was some outstanding defence on the try-line, the Smellies finally found a way through and got their first points of the day. The missed conversion brought an end to the half.

The second half began with an almost immediate try for Stew Mel. Unfortunately, this writer was buried in the clubhouse sheltering from the gale outside so that is as much colour as can be added! However, a missed conversion was spotted by an eagle-eyed observer. Two scores either side of half time and all of a sudden there were only seven points in it. Game on.

After gingerly fighting the hurricane I was back in my seat but it was not long before I was on my feet to applaud a stunning 50:22 nudge from Grant Anderson. The fly half was due to start the game but appeared mysteriously half-way through the first half to replace Gavin McKirdy. The GHK lineout, which was impeccable all afternoon, provided the platform for the pack to march forward. Countless charges were quelled on the line by Stew Mel but they were adjudged to have done so illegally by the referee who awarded a penalty try.

Stew Mel had their hands on the ball and were looking threatening in the middle of GHK’s half. However, they were dealt a major blow to any comeback they had planned when their replacement prop was asked to finish off the Stinking Bishop that his teammate had left in the sin bin.

GHK did not hesitate to capitalise on their numerical advantage. Steele, excellent with the boot all day, used a combination of his metronomic boot and the powerful gust behind him to send the ball 60 metres into Stew Mel’s 22. The pack set up a driving maul and the ball was worked into the midfield. Temm took the ball to the line and produced an audacious offload so naughty any replays will not be shown before the watershed. Gossman was the beneficiary and the wee centre crossed for his brace and the bonus point was secured.

There was time for a consolation score Stew Mel. A string of quickly taken penalties brought them up to within five metres before former GHK fly half, Kyle Henderson, dotted down. He couldn’t add the extras and so the ref blew his whistle for full time.

GHK 33 – 17 Stewart’s Melville

As previously mentioned, GHK’s management of the weather conditions was ultimately the difference between the two sides. In the first half, GHK’s willingness and ability to hold on to the ball no matter where they were on the field applied a lot of pressure and resulted in a yellow card and three tries. In the second forty, GHK utilised the kicking prowess of Steele and Anderson to pin Stew Mel back and make them chase the game from their own half. Another yellow card followed and the game was put to bed.

There were numerous notable performances from the home team. Feargus Haston must be commended for an almost faultless display in the set piece despite the challenging conditions. Dan Temm produced an all-action performance that included quick tap penalties, SBW offloads and a try as well. Ben Frame showed excellent leadership by controlling the pace of the game expertly; particularly in the first half. Craig Gossman handled playing two positions during the game seamlessly whilst Jack Steele had another commanding performance in the midfield with and without the ball. His boot got his team out of trouble on more than a few occasions from hand and the tee. However, the Edinburgh Gin Player of the Match goes to Tommy Spinks, the second row carried superbly and was a constant nuisance at the breakdown. Well done Tommy!