GHK produced a fabulous second half comeback to eventually win 35-25 against Newton Stewart in a thrilling encounter at Old Anniesland.

Due to a combination of Six Nations fixtures and postponements, this was the first match for the home side since January whereas the visitors had played three times during that period. This lack of game time perhaps explains GHK’s lackluster start though that would be a doing disservice to Newton Stewart who defended extremely well and looked dangerous whenever they had the ball in the GHK half.

Though GHK had the lion’s share of possession in the first ten minutes, this was mostly spent going from coast to coast around the halfway line. Newton Stewart were content to let GHK have the ball and were not competing at the ruck which left them with plenty of bodies to defend with. Subsequently, they were able to intercept a few flat passes and it did not take long for one of these to lead to a try. The scrum half, who was lively all game, pinched a pass off his opposite man to scamper in from fifty metres out.

Newton Stewart soon added a second try in similar fashion. This time it was the centre who broke free in the midfield and crashed over under the posts. GHK were again guilty of playing a bit too much in their own half but credit to the visitors who were showing how clinical they could be. The conversion was good and so the score was 12-0.

Rassie Erasmus had seen enough and decided to deploy the west end bomb squad a bit earlier than planned. Glen Sutherland, Paul Henderson and Toby Jeffries were entrusted with turning the ship around and made an instant impact with a scrum penalty.

However, GHK were soon in unchartered territory for this season as the away side added a third try. Some excellent handling down the right touchline released the winger who dotted down in the far corner. Though the tricky conversion was missed, it was clear who the dominant side in the game was and they weren’t wearing blue and green.

There were suspicions in the crowd that the referee’s clock had gone back a month early as the first half seemed to go on longer than a week in the jail. However, GHK made good use of the extra time with their first real forage into Newton Stewart’s half resulting in an excellent try that involved the whole fifteen. Mark Preston finished the move off to the left of the posts after a couple of quickly taken penalties and Jack Steele added two which brought an end to the half. It wasn’t quite “Fergie Time” but the try proved to be the turning point in the match.

HALF TIME: GHK 7 – 17 Newton Stewart RFC

The second half begun as the first half had ended; all of the momentum was with the home side and it was not long before this pressure turned into points. After a number of pick and go’s edged GHK closer to the line, Sutherland eventually rumbled over. Steele added the simple conversion and all of a sudden it was a three-point game.

Newton Stewart responded commendably though. A fantastic break by their scrum half down the left touch line almost led to a stunning length of the field try. However, a penalty infringement from the home side halted progress and the visitors elected to take the points.

GHK replied pretty much from the resulting kick off. The forwards regathered the ball and made big dents in the middle of the park. This gave time and space for the back line to release Kerr Gossman and the winger showed great feet and composure to dot down in the right corner. Steele waved his wand of a boot and knocked a sublime conversion over from the touchline.

GHK, ahead for the first time in the game, were not going to sit back and defend their lead. The league leaders smelled blood and soon extended their lead with two well taken tries.

The first try was finished off by one the forwards and if any of them would like to claim it please get in touch directly. Lewis Brock has already tried to bribe his way on to the scoresheet but there is no mistaking a giraffe with rickets in a blue scrum cap so it is safe to say it wasn’t him.

The second try was scored in similar fashion with Matt Smith dealing the final blow from close range. Steele converted both tries and so the score was 35-20 was five minutes to play.

There was time for Newton Stewart to score a well-deserved bonus point try before the full-time whistle went.

FULL TIME: GHK 35-25 Newton Stewart RFC

Though from a GHK point of view this game was immensely frustrating in parts, this should not detract from what was an entertaining match and a great advert for amateur rugby in Scotland. Newton Stewart will be ruing a missed opportunity to beat the table-toppers but the home side showed why they have been so hard to beat this season. To come back from seventeen points down should be congratulated and the team showed great resilience, composure and togetherness in the second half.

In terms of individual performances, there were a few stand outs. Though the team can often boast a backline most premiership teams would envy, this week it was the forwards and especially the tight five that stole the show. Feargus Haston and Martin Whyte carried hard all game and were central to the close range tries scored. Lewis Brock was excellent with the ball in the loose and a nuisance in defence. Cian Smith looked lean and mean in the back row and Paul Henderson made a huge impact off the bench. However, the Edinburgh Gin Man of the Match goes to another “benchwarmer”, Glen Sutherland. Glen scored at least one try (second tbc), shored up the scrum and generally tore up trees before coming off injured. Hopefully you’re on the mend soon Glen; the gin will help!

A few photos from Saturday’s match.

Prior to the match both teams and spectators came together in a minute of reflection on  current events as we #StandWithUkraine. In addition,  all proceeds from the raffle – over £400 –  at the pre-match lunch will be donated to support relief efforts in Ukraine.