Highland arrived in Glasgow on Saturday having won their opening two league fixtures – admittedly both at home, whereas GHK had suffered two away defeats. Whilst it’s very early in the season, it isn’t hard to see why the team from Inverness would start as most observers’ favourites.

GHK welcomed back Tommy Spinks to the starting line-up which compensated for the loss of Lewis Brock to injury from the previous week with Ali MacLaurin starting at hooker in what was to turn out to be an all too brief appearance. Jack Steele made a welcome return to the GHK bench, lending it his considerable experience and heft both of which were to come in very useful.

The pitch at Old Anniesland was in its predictably excellent condition for this first home match with weather to match, giving us the perfect conditions for running rugby, which has been the hallmark of GHK’s style in recent seasons.

Both teams, in fact, showed intent to play with ball in hand but it has to be said that the home side did so with a far greater degree of threat and purpose throughout the vast majority of the match.

After some initial sparring it was GHK who struck the first meaningful blow in the 9^th minute with a powerful line-out drive causing holes to appear in the visitors’ defence which GHK captain Ben Frame was quick to exploit leaving a couple of defenders in his wake in the process. This was to be by no means the last time that GHK’s forwards showed their abilities in the tight with both scrum and line out – whilst not completely dominant – proving a consistently reliable source of possession, territory and a few penalties.

Owen McLeish converted this opening try for 7-0 and was successful with a much harder kick at the end of the first quarter when further good first phase possession – this time from a scrum – gave Tommy Spinks the opportunity to break quickly and pass to Ben Frame who, in turn, fed winger Ali Olivier who was able to dive over in the corner, McLeish’s fine kick giving GHK a deserved 14-0 lead.

The game was held up to allow GHK hooker Ali MacLaurin to be helped off having suffered an ankle injury, with Ryan Moore slotting in to the front row.

Highland had made few inroads to GHK territory, with the home side’s defence proving tenacious and secure. It was no surprise, therefore. that they took the opportunity to put some points on the board when they were awarded a penalty some 25 metres out in front of the posts.  14-3 after half an hour.

GHK returned to attack mode and the pressure eventually told with the Highland hooker committing one offence too many and finding himself taking an enforced    10-minute rest either side of half time.

GHK didn’t capitalise immediately, instead it was Highland stand off and captain Scott Fraser who kicked a second penalty to narrow the gap to 14-6. GHK did, however, manage a further score before half time with GHK’s number 8 Tommy Spinks able to pick up from the back of a scrum that was moving forward to go over unopposed.

19-6 at the break with GHK deserving their lead and Highland probably needing to score first in the second period to get themselves back into the game.

The early stages of the second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first with GHK clearly edging possession and territory. It seemed as if a fourth try was only a matter of time. However, in what has become something of a slightly concerning pattern, the home side threw one miss pass too many with Highland winger Andrew Kellock the grateful recipient of a 60-metre run under the posts. 19-13, half an hour to go and home crowd nerves firmly on edge.

Both teams endeavoured to gain the upper hand with benches being utilised to replace tiring starters. It was GHK’s Jack Steele who was to make the telling impact with a powerful run to close to the visitors’ line only for the ball to come loose. Fortunately for GHK it didn’t go forward and Danny Campbell was on hand to clinch victory and the vital bonus point for the hosts with 10 minutes remaining.

Final score GHK 24 Highland 13

An important win and a very encouraging performance from GHK, who were in control of the game for the most part with only the lack of a clinical finish preventing them from achieving a more comfortable victory.

The home team’s success was undoubtedly built on the forward platform. The scrum, with Paul Henderson putting in a great 80-minute shift on one side of the front row, was a source of good possession and, just as importantly, denied the opposition a solid base. Similarly, the line out, with Spinks and Gus Troop to the fore, held a clear edge. The work rate of the back row was impressive wit wing forwards Mark Preston and Callum Moglia both prominent in the loose.

GHK’s defence was aggressive and generally very secure with few chances given to the visitors strong running three quarters. Gus North was particularly prominent in the defensive effort and both he and fellow centre Craig Gossman offered a threat with ball in hand. The back three of Campbell, Olivier and Jack Sommerville all contributed, captain Frame chose good options, with stand-off McLeish keeping the backs moving and kicking judiciously, with some great distances made to the touch line.

Your correspondent hasn’t been made aware of the GHK Edinburgh Gin Man of the Match having made a quick exit from Old Anniesland to be further entertained by the Book of Mormon but my personal choice would be Paul Henderson. No doubt a correction will be forthcoming in due course!

We hope that all who made the journey from Inverness – including those who chose not to reveal themselves as having been in attendance (if you know, you know!) – enjoyed their day at Old Anniesland and we look forward to renewing acquaintances in Inverness in the New Year.