Kirkcaldy v GHK Match Report
Where to begin with this one. Let’s get the ‘U’ word out of the way. – ‘Unavailable’ – the word that coaches and old guys who write match reports – least like to hear in relation to match days.
Those of us who remember the halcyon (quite possibly mythical) days when no-one ever called off a match, when all marriages, births and even the other were organised to take place outwith the hallowed September to April period or certainly not on a Saturday. (There was no need to concern ourselves with Friday Night Lights as electricity had not yet/only just been invented.)
This was even well before the era of ‘When the going gets tough, GHK go skiing.’ Are the slopes at Val D’isere and Chamonix even open yet?
To say that GHK have been badly affected by injuries (both our captain and vice-captain out for extensive periods) and other unavailability this season is to state the obvious. Other clubs will no doubt have faced similar issues. The myriad of changes for this week saw what turned out to be highly effective and significant GHK debuts for Ben Chalmers at stand-off and Dan Temm in the back row, with several other players playing at least part of the game out of position, including the erstwhile lock/no 8/flanker Tommy Spinks making his first (official!) appearance in the back division at inside centre.
Some might say we were even down to our third choice touch judge as Rugby Convenor Glenn Woolard demonstrated his versatility by running (?) the line.
We had been more or less been promised a dry evening in the Lang Toun but as kick off approached so came the drizzle which was to remain almost throughout the match making handling tricky for both teams.
In what has become something of a habit, GHK got off to the slowest of starts with Kirkcaldy making good ground from the kick off and pinning the visitors back in their own territory, a pattern that was to prove the story of the first quarter of the match. Within 15 minutes the home team had given their support plenty of reasons to be cheerful as they deservedly went into a 12-point lead courtesy of two well worked tries.
The second of these brought about a much-needed response from GHK as they were awarded a penalty, kicked it to the corner and a series of drives led to debutant Dan Temm diving over for the first of a brace of scores, converted by fellow debutant Ben Chalmers.
Both teams had spells in the ascendancy as we approached half-time with GHK having shaken off their initial lethargy but there as no further scoring.
As the Kirkcaldy Twitter feed put it: ‘Probably the best half of rugby that we’ve seen from the Blues this season. GHK very dangerous – obviously not where they are in the league by chance.’
GHK, when they were able to put together a few phases, were asking questions of the home side’s resolute defence and their pressure eventually told in the 52nd minute when that man Temm crashed over from a quickly taken penalty with the well-struck conversion from Blair Forsyth nudging the league leaders into a two-point lead at 12-14.
Almost immediately, however, Kirkcaldy were back in front as they landed a penalty from 30 metres out. A one-point game and all to play for in the final 25 minutes.
There was plenty of drama to follow – far too much for some of the small band of travelling camp followers – including cheers that turned to groans as the referee looked to have awarded a try to GHK only for his raised arm to be seen to be pointing towards the home side for a pressure relieving penalty rather than the five pointer.
GHK were in the ascendancy now but a combination of excellent home defence and a crucial knock on or mis-placed pass here and there and it looked as if the win was slipping away.
With just under 10 minutes to play GHK again had a chance to take regain the lead but Blair Forsyth skewed his penalty attempt wide.
One more chance was to come GHK’s way as the referee lost patience with the home side’s defensive efforts and produced a yellow card awarding a kickable penalty to GHK. No kick at this stage of a match is straightforward particularly when you know you didn’t make a good job of your previous attempt but ‘Come the hour, come the man’ and up stepped Mr Forsyth to slot the winning kick. ‘Never in doubt’ as the man himself put it!
Terrific effort from every player involved, including the replacements. All the ‘availables’ put in a tremendous shift to grind out what may turn out to be a highly significant win. There was no argument about the GHK Edinburgh Gin Man of the Match award going to Dan Temm. Well played, sir!
Many thanks to Kirkcaldy for their generous hospitality in trying circumstances – even their clubhouse was unavailable as they, quite rightly, taken the opportunity to raise some of the revenue that every club needs by hosting an external function. A substantial buffet was laid on in the dressing rooms and enjoyed by all. Kirkcaldy have been on the wrong end of a few narrow defeats and are likely to move up the league with performances like this one.
For GHK it’s back to Old Anniesland next week for the last of the first round of matches of the season as we host Falkirk with a 3 pm kick off. No lunch this time but a good turnout would, as always, encourage the team.
GHK Coach Cammy Little presents the Edinburgh Gin Man of the Match to Dan Temm.
‘The Availables’ who ground out a memorable win for GHK at Beveridge Park against Kirkcaldy.