GHK saved perhaps their finest performance for the last home game of the season as they thrashed Kirkcaldy 96-28 in the glorious spring sunshine.

One could not have asked for more idyllic conditions for a game of rugby. Had Old Anniesland not been situated in the leafy west end suburbs, there was sure to have been a few more “taps aff” around the grounds. Fortunately Ronnie et al kept them on. The minis were on site getting their team photos taken, there was a burger van, inflatable assault courses and copious Tennents flowing from the bar so the scene was set for the home side to put on a show.

The westenders were under no illusions about how difficult this game could be after they relied on a penalty from Blair Forsyth to win by a point in the reverse fixture in Fife. Luckily, they were able to name their strongest squad of the season for the home encounter.

Before we get started, please forgive any misnamed scorers as it was genuinely hard to keep up with the tries, especially in the second half. So, if any players feel aggrieved that they have not had their 15 seconds of fame then please DM me at grow.up@ghk.com.

The game started with a bang as Danny Campbell dotted down in the corner almost straight from kick off. A huge clearing kick from Grant Anderson was skillfully kept in play on the far touchline by Kerr Gossman who showed great footballing ability and then offloading skills to put Campbell in for the first try of sixteen (!) scored by the hosts.

Kirkcaldy replied almost instantly though with a penalty try. Their fly half, who made a few silky breaks throughout, skated through the blitz defence and was adjudged by the referee to have been brought down illegally by the last defender. No conversion needed so the visitors were two points up.

This was to be the last time Kirkcaldy enjoyed a lead though as GHK went through the gears at an alarming rate to score a few tries in quick succession. The forwards found themselves getting on the end of searing breaks from the outside backs.

Hugh Parker, showing no signs of jet lag after his trip across the Atlantic, scored two tries from close range after great breaks from Campbell and Anderson.

Parker then turned provider with a sumptuous offload for Glen Sutherland who used his considerable frame to barge over the whitewash. Unfortunately, Sutherland injured himself in the act of scoring and was replaced by pocket rocket Ryan Moore.

Tommy Spinks then got on the end of a lovely switch of play and pass from fellow flanker Matt Smith to score in the left corner. The pass was matched by the conversion as Craig Gossman casually knocked it over from the touchline.

The backs then decided it was time they got a few scores with Gossman Senior heavily involved. The first was a run in from 30 metres for Angus North after an outside break from Gossman straight from the kick-off.

The Gossman Bros™ then combined superbly down the right touchline to add another score. The elder dotting down after a deft chip and chase from Anderson and dancing feet from Gossman Junior created acres of space for the centre.

Soon after, Anderson scored perhaps the try of the afternoon after a trademark break from deep from Campbell lead to an outrageous offload from Smith to put the fly half in under the sticks.

Campbell got his second of the afternoon not long after to bring in the half century before forty minutes were up. The Gossman Bros™ once again showing why they have spent a decade at the top of amateur rugby in Scotland to create the space for the full back.

Kirkcaldy did get a score of their own with the final play of the half after direct running from their forwards created space for the tighthead to charge over unopposed.

Half time: GHK 53-14 Kirkaldy

After some much needed half-time refreshments (for those on and off the field) we were back underway, and it did no take long for the hosts to get on the scoresheet. Anderson offloaded to Angus Troop who muscled his way over in front of the posts.

The tight five union claimed another couple of tries as Lewis Brock and replacement Moore crossed within minutes of each other.

North got his second of the day in similar fashion to his first. The ball was whipped from right to left by the centres to Ben Hutton and the winger, who incredibly did not get on the scoresheet, beat a few defenders and passed inside to the supporting North.

Gossman of the Kerr variety showed great pace and determination to get on the end of a clever box kick from self-proclaimed Captain-Fantastic, Ben Frame.

Kirkcaldy replied with a score of their own before Troop, the runaway rhino, almost fell over his own feet as he scampered home unopposed from forty metres out after a SWB offload from his partner in the engine room, Brock.

Gossman Jnr somehow managed to have enough in the tank to sprint down the touchline from fifty metres for his brace and GHK’s last score of the day.

With a few minutes left on the clock, members of the crowd were excitedly discussing the prospect of a three-figure haul for GHK. Hugh Barrow was the phone-a-friend option for anyone asking whether it had been done before in a competitive match at OA. However, it was the Fifers that had the last laugh as they secured their vital four-try bonus point with a score in the final play of the game which produced the loudest cheer from their loyal supporters.

…and breathe!

Full Time GHK 96- 28 Kirkcaldy

To state the obvious, this was an outstanding performance from 1 to 19 from GHK. The score line alone can tell you that. However, what it doesn’t reveal is the manner of the victory. What impressed the most about this win was the desire from the players to keep their standards high until the final whistle. It would have been understandable for the foot to have been taken off the gas at half time with the result beyond doubt, but the team were relentless in all aspects of the game. Though there were some breathtaking tries and pieces of skill, this was by no means a game of sevens; the set piece, exit plays and defence were given just as much as respect as the free-flowing attack we have become accustomed to at Old Anniesland this year. Credit must also be given to Kirkcaldy for battling on to get their bonus point which was deserved.

The fact that sixteen tries were shared between twelve different scorers indicates that this was a true team performance. So, the only individual to be picked out for their stand-out display is the winner of this week’s Edinburgh Gin Man of the Match which was Craig Gossman. If Tennent’s National League Division 2 had a fantasy league (which is surely in the pipeline @Mark Dodson) then Gossman would have racked up a serious number of points. Tries, assists, conversions and clean breaks galore with some gorgeous offloads, passing and side steps too. Well done Craig, very classy!