Prior to the match, we remembered and celebrated the life of former GHK player and captain Pete Ritchie. A good number of his former team mates attended the pre-match lunch and the following words were offered prior to kick off.
‘On Wednesday, many of us attended the funeral of former GHK player and captain Pete Ritchie who has died, aged 39, after a short illness. Pete’s life was celebrated on the day as a husband, father, son, brother, uncle and good friend to many.
Today we remember Pete as a teammate, captain, leader and all-round great club guy. We ask you to join us in observing a minute’s silence to remember Pete.’
We continue to send our love and condolences to Pete’s family and friends.
To the match:
Another fine afternoon for rugby on a pitch that continues to be one of the finest playing surfaces anywhere – well-suited to GHK’s style of running rugby.
GHK’s relief at being back on familiar territory – only one narrow defeat at home this season – was evident almost from kick off as veteran full back Craig Gossman showed commendable pace to outstrip the visitors’ defence with in the opening five minutes. The conversion was duly slotted by GHK’s stand-off Grant Anderson who had a very good day from the tee, slotting five of six conversions together with a penalty.
It took GHK until the end of the first quarter to add to their tally – a period when both sides had dominant spells without scoring. Centre Gus North has been on a fine run of form – more of which later – and it was he who scored the second, running an incisive line at pace to leave several Grammar defenders in his wake. 14-0 after 20 minutes.
Perhaps Aberdeen were shrugging off the effects of their long journey south and they registered their first score of the day through a series of drives. Converted for 14-7.
GHK’s line out catch and drives have proved an effective weapon this season and it was a variation of this that saw young lock Leo Findlay, who has been increasingly prominent in recent weeks, break from the side and crash over to restore the home side’s two score advantage at 21-7
Any thoughts that GHK would enjoy a comfortable half-time lead were to be thwarted when a quickly taken scrum penalty and some sloppy defensive play allowed the visitors to sore again. With the conversion just staying out that left the half-time score at 21-12 – the game very much still in the balance.
GHK’s use of the bench has been influential all season and so it proved on Saturday with Keiran Boles, Ryan Moore, Jack Steele, Owen McLeish and Dan Temm all making telling contributions. It was the last-named of these who was on the end of a great bit of snaffling by GHK captain and scrum half Ben Frame in the 54th minute to go over for the important bonus point try. This came on the back of a strong GHK scrum which was to prove a major part of the dominance that the home side enjoyed in the second period.
A penalty kept the score board ticking over before winger Rayan Trache – like Findlay, a product of last year’s successful U-18 squad – was the beneficiary of a dominant tackle by North and a fine counter ruck to allow him to show his speed and run in from half way.
GHK’s final try came with a quarter of the game left when Paul Henderson scored his almost inevitable counter, driving over from another effective line out move.
This was no more that GHK deserved for a second half performance that saw them score 22 unanswered points to bring the final score to GHK 43 Aberdeen Grammar 12.
Like most victories it was built on a fine performance from the pack in which both hookers Angus Cooper and replacement Ryan Moore performed capably, props Martin Whyte, Henderson and replacement Boles all contributed to GHK’s increasingly dominant set piece. Locks Findlay and late call up David Sewell did more than their share of hard graft as did the back row of Angus Troop (a lung -bursting chase and tackle being a particular highlight), Mark Preston (doing much of the unheralded hard yards and effective defending) and Tommy Spinks (providing much of the impetus for GHK’s attacks and linking well with the backs.)
Captain Ben Frame had another fine outing, passing, running and sniping effectively. Grant Anderson varied the game, kicking well when required and, as mentioned adding points from the tee.
Louis Miller had another solid game at centre and all of the back three had their moments with Trache and Gossman both on the score sheet and Gavin McKirdy gaining good yards in possession.
Subject to a Monopolies Commission investigation (again?) this week’s GHK Edinburgh Gin Player of the Match was, you’ve guessed it, Gus North. Also no prizes for predicting who won the fine bottle of malt whisky, generously donated by Glasgow Whisky in the post-match raffle!
A very satisfactory day for GHK who will hope to continue their fine home form when they entertain Biggar next week in a re-scheduled fixture at the earlier time of 1.45 pm.