GHK Twos v Hamilton  04 December 2021

GHK Twos took on Hamilton at OA on Saturday. Having won the reverse fixture at Laigh Bent earlier in the season GHK were looking to do the double on their mid table rivals. However, a much changed and very youthful home XV was no match for their well drilled and more experienced opponents who effectively had the job done with barely a quarter of the match played.

A combination of a well drilled forward unit, tidy half backs (including a scrum half who possessed a fast accurate service) and a three quarter line that threatened from the first minute, challenged the home side for the entire eighty minutes. That said, there was no lack of effort and spirit on the part of the GHK Twos. Tackles were made and bodies put on the line, but the physical edge that Hamilton had gave them a clear advantage and they were able to play on the front foot.

The home cause was not helped by some basic shortcomings particularly in the set piece. The line out struggled for most of the match and when you clear your lines via a penalty only to cough up possession again from the ensuing throw to your own line out is a bit dispiriting. Hamilton were better organised and a whole lot more street wise in that department.

Hamilton had their bonus point with 22 minutes on the clock. A couple of forward drives saw the tighter, heavier eight rumble over. There were also some fine scores from the Hamilton backs who ran good lines and passed with purpose. Rarely was there any just shovelling the ball along the line.

After that first quarter, GHK did get more in to the game and threatened to open their account. Indeed that middle third of the match was keenly contested and GHK had their best period of the match in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. Unfortunately for the home side the Hamilton defence was sound and having repelled the GHK efforts a couple of further tries from the visitors completely snuffed out any notion of a GHK revival.

To their credit GHK kept going with half time replacement David Sewell to the fore. A well deserved GHK try came with eleven minutes remaining after a series of drives close to the line. Javier Saez was rewarded for his very combative eighty minutes effort with the touch down.

The talented Hamilton backs had the last word with two further scores. They certainly knew the way to the line.

Final score GHK 7 Hamilton 52

A hard day at the office and a learning experience for the youthful GHK XV. However, a bit of work on the basics allied to the evident talent and enthusiasm offers real encouragement.