GHK v Dumfries Saints 5 November 2021

Any game that took place on ‘bonfire night’ might predictably be expected to produce a firework or two. Well, the top of the table Tennent’s National League clash between GHK and the Saints from Dumfries most certainly did not disappoint.

Prior to kick off a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden who had passed away earlier that day. He was a very influential figure in public life in Scotland and his contribution to all matters to do with the High School of Glasgow was immense.

Prior to that, about one hundred diners had enjoyed a hearty supper in the clubhouse prepared by Chef Cammy and his team. Club President welcomed everyone and in his opening remarks paid tribute to Lord Macfarlane. The food was followed by a highly entertaining Q&A session hosted by Scotland sevens star Colin Gregor. Colin cross-examined professional player Lee Jones. No subject was off limits – well almost no subject. In addition, Gavin Hutton introduced the team from See Me, GHK’s mental health partners.  Graeme Young and Toni Groundwater spoke passionately about attitudes to mental health, particularly amongst men. Their contributions were both entertaining and meaningful. All at GHK look forward to working further with this most impressive organisation.

Right, back to the rugby. GHK kicked off. That may have been their last contact with the ball until they repeated the process after Dumfries had opened their try account. The visitors fired some early rockets and made significant dents in to the GHK defence. It did rather look at this point in proceedings as though the home side hadn’t got their fireworks out of the boot of the car whilst the visitors were already lighting up the night sky with their efforts.

5-0 to Dumfries became 8-0 when a penalty was added. Thus far the game was being played in areas that made life pretty uncomfortable for the hosts. Surely the under the posts chat would shake GHK out of their slumbers. Well, eventually it did, but not before the men in black and white had stretched their advantage by another seven points via a well worked try. The combination of powerful, abrasive drives and crisp handling had indeed produced handsome rewards in the initial stages of the match.

With the home supporters shifting a little awkwardly in their seats, GHK finally let loose a few rockets of their own and at last put a wee bit of pressure on the visitors. Having got into a good field position, a series of disciplined drives saw the home side claim their first score of the night. Craig Gossman added the extra two points. There was some uncertainty as to the identity of the try scorer but it looks as though it was David Sim who carried over for an absolutely critical score for the hosts.

The very safe hands of Tommy Spinks claimed the restart and GHK were off again. The early problems of getting in to any gear looked to have been shaken off and the GHK machine slipped smoothly in to attack mode. There was a noticeable shift in momentum and it was Dumfries’ turn to demonstrate their defensive mettle. However, it did look like the GHK backs were now very much in the mood.

Angus North crashed over after a period of prolonged pressure that stretched the visitors’ defence. This was followed by a super score, touched down by Jack Steele, created by the livewire firecracker Danny Campbell. Again Craig Gossman made it a seven pointer. The tables looked to have turned quite significantly. The kicking of Grant Anderson put GHK in to good positions and the boys capitalised.

It was from a kick to the corner by the GHK number ten that the fourth bonus point try was claimed. The lineout led to a number of drives and GHK were over again. Somewhere in the clutch of bodies that rumbled over there was a ball carrier. We believe that person to be Glenn Sutherland. What is clear however was that, after their early lethargy, GHK had chalked up twenty four unanswered points and at that stage looked to be pretty much in control. To make matters worse for Dumfries, referee Calum Lazenby, had lost patience with a few penalties too many and centre Robert Douglas was given s ten minute rest that overlapped the end of the first half and the start of the second period. The half ended with GHK on top but there was no further action on the scoreboard.  Half time – GHK 24 Dumfries 15

Any thoughts of GHK, being a man up and having the bulk of possession, turning the screw and taking the game away from the visitors were quickly dispelled as the visitors started the second half in much the same way as they did the first. They were lively, direct and stretched the home defence. They also had in their captain and number ten Jack Steele, one of the most skilful and best game managers in the national leagues. There were occasions when it looked as though he had the GHK defence in two, three, maybe four minds. He really mixed it up. For the most part the home defence was up to the task. However, an infringement saw Dumfries reduce the deficit by three from a penalty.

At this stage the game was almost a mirror image of the first half. Dumfries were on the front foot and were very much in charge. GHK were struggling to establish anything in an attacking sense. It was in keeping with the run of play when the visitors claimed a third try. The conversion from out wide took them a point ahead. What a complete turn around with barely twelve minutes of the half gone.

Thankfully, GHK got themselves together and looked to have re-set their rugby playing button. First up was to get in to some more threatening field positions. Some attacking sequences gave encouragement to the home fans that they could recapture the lead. That said, the Dumfries defence was impressive and missed tackles were few and far between. However, yet again, it did look as though the match pendulum was swinging ever so slightly back in favour of GHK.

 

The critical score came with twelve minutes to go. It was a classic. Having stretched the defence to the right, the ball was moved left. Jack Steele committed defenders and offloaded to Ben Hutton. There was still work to be done, but as we have seen many time this season, the left winger doesn’t need much of a gap and he powered over to take GHK back in to the lead. A little more breathing space was granted with another Craig Gossman conversion.

There followed a nervy, tension filled last ten minutes when every decision was greeted by a groan or gasp of relief depending upon whether you favoured the Saints or the home side. Both sides had possession and opportunities in decent field positions. Yet again those unforgiving defences were giving nothing away. In their last game, Dumfries pipped local rivals Newton Stewart by one point. A converted try would see them repeat that outcome again. They couldn’t do it again could they? Despite their best efforts, that vital score would not come. Referee Lazenby brought proceedings to a close with the final outcome GHK 31  Dumfries 25.

This was a first class game of rugby and a credit to both sides, their coaches, support staff and supporters. It was a wonderful advert for the Scottish club game. The lead changed hands four times with each side enjoying spells of dominance and, who knows, if the game had run on for a few more minutes the result could have gone the other way. The level of skill, determination, fitness on display was exceptional.

It was great to see so many supporters and friends from Dumfries. We hope that, despite the result, you enjoyed your visit to Old Anniesland. The return fixture on 2nd April is already keenly anticipated both for the rugby and the warm welcome.

GHK will be delighted at the outcome. However, as the comments above highlight, they did not have it their own way for large parts of the game. The slow starts to both halves might have more to do with the intensity of the Dumfries performance. The fact that GHK recovered is credit to their application, focus and belief in their game plan.

A number of stand out performers for GHK. Grant Anderson has previously been mentioned. He controlled proceedings and worked well with his number nine Charlie Campbell and centres Jack Steele and Angus North. Danny Campbell was on his A game. The forwards had a job to do in trying to match up to a Dumfries eight who exploded out of the blocks. However, they dug in and provided a platform for the backs to do their stuff. It’s invidious to single out individuals, but here goes. Feargus Haston put in a double shift as hooker and flanker. Tommy Spinks and Angus Troup grafted and carried relentlessly. The competition for the GHK Edinburgh Gin man of the match award was fierce, but for a tireless, all action eighty minutes the prize this week goes to David Patterson. Well done for a five star performance.

Finally, the evening, both the pre-match activities in the pavilion and the game, saw a number of the sponsors of GHK join us. We hope that you enjoyed your evening and look forward to seeing you back at OA soon. Your support is so much appreciated and helps us to provide backing to the boys on the park and make the clubhouse a welcoming place to visit.

GHK are due to face Kirkcaldy away in their next fixture. At the moment the date is yet to be confirmed, so watch the GHK website.

The next home game is Falkirk on November 27.

You’ll get a good game of rugby at Old Anniesland!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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