GHK v Whitecraigs Friday 8th November 2019
Friday Night Lights returned to Old Anniesland with a cracking double header of matches, featuring one of the oldest school fixtures in the world, between The High School of Glasgow and Glasgow Academy, acting as a curtain raiser for the Tennent’s National League Two fixture between GHK and Whitecraigs.
There was a great atmosphere as both school teams were supported enthusiastically by big numbers, including musical accompaniment via drums and chorus! It even seemed that the visitors had assembled the bigger support with the distance from New to Old Anniesland not diminishing their numbers or fervour, although the result was not to their ultimate liking.
In a sense the matches mirrored each other as a fairly evenly contested first half in the school game was followed by a dominant second half display by High School who ran away to an eventually comfortable win by 52-5, whereas it was the first half of the senior match which proved decisive as GHK scored 6 unanswered tries to establish a 33 point lead only to be pegged back by a much improved second period performance by Whitecraigs.
GHK started brightly and it wasn’t long before returning full back Danny Campbell found a gap in the visitors’ defence to dart over, leaving Jack Cuthbert an easy conversion for 7-0.
Although Whitecraigs kicked a penalty, GHK continued to dominate and further, contrasting scores followed in quick succession from Feargus Haston – from a well-executed line out drive – and Ben Hutton – from an equally proficient but more free-flowing move with the ball being moved quickly along the line allowing the young winger to show his pace and dot down in the corner. Ben’s fan club who had stayed to see him enjoyed that one! A fine touchline conversion followed from Cuthbert to make it 19-3.
Further good line out possession saw the ball move to the opposite wing where it was Gavin McKirdy’s turn to add the finishing touch and secure GHK’s bonus point with scarcely half an hour gone.
Captain Cammy Hughes was next on the score sheet, although he was later to blot his copybook by being yellow carded for a high tackle, provoking the unkind enquiry as to how small the other guy was! Last year’s captain Nick Hurn, on his return following a ‘study sabbatical’ (successful) completed the first half scoring, exhibiting a fair turn of pace to finish off another good GHK attack.
Half time 36-3.
It may be difficult to maintain an intensity of performance with such a big lead, but there is also no doubt that Whitecraigs also played much better in the second period, repeatedly holding onto the ball through several phases and frustrating GHK with much improved defence. They reaped some deserved reward with two tries to bring the score back to 36-17, giving hope of a bonus point or more.
Any thoughts of this were extinguished when Nick Hurn cantered over for his second try of the match, only for him to follow this up by becoming the second GHK player to take an enforced 10-minute break by a referee who was clearly not impressed by some of the home side’s efforts in the second half.
Full time GHK 43 Whitecraigs 17
GHK were delighted to welcome Neil Boyd from Edinburgh Gin, who have joined the club’s burgeoning range of sponsors with a bottle of their eponymous product being awarded to the GHK Man of the Match in all remaining matches this season. Neil selected Jack Cuthbert as the inaugural recipient, with his calming influence in midfield and impressive kicking from hand and at goal shading it over the other contenders.
There’s little doubt that Coach Peter Wright will have been fairly happy with his charges’ first 40 minutes but we can be absolutely certain that he will be demanding an 80-minute performance in upcoming fixtures to give GHK the best possible chance on maintaining, or improving on, their second place in the league.
Neet week GHK make the long trip north to Gordonians.
If you can’t make that one, there’s absolutely no excuses accepted for the following week when it’s back to Friday Night Lights as GHK face oldest rivals and closest neighbours (and friends) Glasgow Accies, Friday 22nd November, kick off 8 pm. Book your place at the pre-match curry, available from 6.30pm, (only £10) by emailing Alistair at a.wood720@ntlworld.com.