GHK vs Preston Lodge RFC 16 October 2021 Match Report

GHK successfully bounced back from their first defeat of the season by securing a bonus point victory against a Preston Lodge side that were never out of the fight.

Fans of either team will know all too well how close matches between these two sides have been in recent seasons. The 2021 edition continued this trend and the distinct clash of styles made for an exciting game in the autumnal drizzle at Old Anniesland. There were several first team regulars missing for the home side due to injury, absence and a new-born baby. As long as the new recruit pays their subs then we will let Tommy Spinks off this time. The stage was set for some new faces to show what they could do against an uncompromising side from the east coast.

GHK started brightly and one of the newest faces, Jack Somerville, got his hands on the ball early on and made a surging run down the left touchline after a trademark break from Danny Campbell. The attack came to nothing but it was not long until GHK got on the scoreboard. Craig Gossman, GHK’s fourth different starting fly-half of the season, easily knocked over a penalty in front of the posts.

GHK were quickly back on the offensive and won a penalty in a similar position to the one knocked over by Gossman. This time the hosts chose to back their lineout and kicked to the right-hand corner. The ambition was rewarded when the lineout drive was recycled left and Angus North dummied and crashed over from short range. Gossman added the extras and GHK now had a bit of breathing space.

However, the visitors did not waste time cutting off the oxygen supply as two quick fire tries nudged them in front. The first score was just reward for patient and direct pick and go’s while the second came from a powerful scrum. Both tries were scored in the left-hand corner in front of the crowd that was now a few decibels quieter. Preston Lodge’s scrum half got the tricky touchline conversion to put them ahead by two points. The tide had turned and were it not for a missed penalty, the away side would have stretched their lead further.

With the game hanging in the balance, tensions were running high. The referee was not entertaining any nonsense so when the handbags came out in front of the crowd, a player from both sides was shown the fromage.

GHK needed a spark and as is so often the case, Campbell provided it. The full back took a penalty quickly and danced his way around defenders with feet that even Craig Revel Horwood would be impressed by. Campbell was eventually hauled down but GHK continued to apply pressure in the opposition 22 and this was turned into points when the rampaging bull, Paul Henderson, emerged from the china shop with a try. Gossman missed the conversion but GHK were ahead by three at half time.

The home team started spritely and were awarded a penalty try when Campbell was taken out with a high tackle when a try was inevitable. Ten points ahead again but like in the first half, this did not last long. Despite an excellent lineout steal from Lewis Brock, GHK were not able to clear their lines which gave Preston Lodge ideal field position to launch an attack. Their persistence was rewarded with a score for their outside centre who went over for five points to the left of the posts. The conversion was good and the visitors were only three points behind.

GHK did well to regather the subsequent kick off and this gave Gossman time and space to glide through the broken defensive line. Another high tackle halted the fly-half in his tracks but he composed himself to knock over the resulting penalty.

Preston Lodge were then down to fourteen men again when their right winger was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on. Gossman added three points from the tee to make it 28-19 to GHK.

The hosts made the extra man count; securing the bonus point with a slightly fortuitous score before the final whistle. Campbell produced a deft chip over the blitz defence on the halfway line which North gathered superbly. The ball then appeared to spurt out of the tackle into Campbell’s grateful arms and the full-back ran in untouched from twenty metres out. You make your own luck! Gossman added the extras to make the final score 35-19.

Full Time: GHK 35 – 19 Preston Lodge

Until Preston lodge received their second yellow card deep into the second half, this game could have gone either way. The men from the east coast played to their strengths and the slippery conditions well; keeping it tight and using their large and direct runners to great effect. They combined this with a solid kicking game and robust set-piece to cause real problems for GHK. However, the hosts should be applauded for staying in the fight at half time before stretching their legs in the second half. The pack met fire with fire but it was the extra class behind the scrum that proved to be the difference between the two teams in the end.

There were a few individual efforts that are worth mentioning. David Sim and Cian Smith took their chances well and have put their hands up for selection next week. Paul Henderson made a huge impact off the bench. You’d be forgiven for thinking Charlie Campbell and Craig Gossman had played together for years such was the quality of their link up play and game management. Angus North pulls everything together at inside centre and Danny Campbell ran and kicked exceptionally well; is there a greater sight on a rugby field than a well struck spiral kick? The recipients of this week’s Edinburgh Gin Men of the Match would likely argue the case for a perfectly timed lineout jump or a thunderous counter-ruck. Our resident behemoths Angus Troop and Lewis Brock provided such barnstorming displays that they both deserve the award this week. Brock added dexterity in the loose and in the lineout while Troop bowled over more than a couple of unlucky defenders. Remember to share the gin boys!