Newton Stewart v GHK Saturday 23rd October 2021 Match Report

GHK made the long bus journey to Bladnoch Park on Saturday to take on Newton Stewart in what traditionally has been a demanding fixture with  many a close tussle between the two sides. With the weather staying dry but featuring a swirling breeze it was clear that the elements would play their part. If truth be told, neither side took full advantage of playing with the wind, perhaps emphasising the capricious nature of the prevailing conditions.

The final score may give the impression of a relatively straightforward win for the visitors but that would not tell the whole story.  Playing with the wind in the first half, on a pitch which has clearly undergone real improvement in recent seasons, GHK took just 6 minutes to strike first, a relatively simple finish for their flying left winger, Ben Hutton with the ball going through the hands for his first of the day.

Following this, however, the home side  came much more into the game, mainly through the efforts of their very well drilled pack who kept it simple with good close quarter passing, asking questions of the GHK defence. Throughout the entire game, that defence proved resolute, nigh on impregnable, in fact.

It wasn’t until into the second quarter of the game that young Hutton had his second opportunity. This time the try looked far from a certainty when he received the ball outside the home twenty two with two defenders still to beat. A step, a fend, some real acceleration, and  an outstanding second try in the corner was secured.  Hutton’s hat trick duly arrived on the half hour as, again, he left defenders in his wake, this time dotting down under the posts to allow Jack Steele, making his GHK debut, to add the extras for 0-12.

Newton Stewart were by no means out of it and they again mounted pressure in the GHK half, leading to the award of a penalty which they opted to kick to the corner rather than take the relatively straightforward 3 points on offer. Once again, GHK’s defence held firm and the danger was averted. With half time fast approaching there was just time for GHK to secure their try bonus point and, for once, that man Hutton wasn’t involved. Instead it was centre Angus North, whose defensive efforts were commendable throughout, who ran strongly to score near the posts with GHK’s captain for the day, Craig Gossman, this time adding the conversion. A 24-0 lead at half-time was credit to the visitors finishing and, even more so, to their really strong defensive game.  It seemed it would take a huge effort form the home side to turn things round allied to a game plan that exploited the conditions that were now in their favour. However, it was not to be.

Despite an early penalty which was kicked to put points on the board, the Newton team never really looked liked threatening to score the tries necessary to threaten GHK’s lead.

With Fergus Wallace already on to replace Matt Smith, GHK made further changes with Kerr Gossman being reunited on a rugby pitch with brother Craig for the first time in many a year. By the sound of their verbal interactions, brotherly love is alive and well! It was also great to see another of GHK’s most recent recruits, front row forward Martin Whyte make  a very strong impression on his first outing for the club. Welcome, Martin! GHK’s remaining replacement, Cian Smith, also made a very solid impact in his time on the pitch.

It was another of GHK’s pacy back three, full back Danny Campbell who scored GHK’s first try of the half, standing up the last defender before touching down under the posts, stretching the visitors’ lead to 31-3. Newton Stewart kept plugging away and their tenacious efforts were rewarded for the solitary time in the match when they again went through several phases and GHK ran out of defenders for once to bring the score back to 10-31.

Any thoughts of a home comeback were very quickly stifled when GHK struck twice in very quick succession with first Angus Troop and then Craig Gossman going over to take the visitors out to a more comfortable 43-10 margin. There was just enough time for Danny Campbell to complete his brace to bring the final score to Newton Stewart 10 GHK 48.

Two halves each containing four tries and a couple of conversions for the Glasgow side, gave lie to the effort that was required to subdue a home side who were certainly well-drilled, kept to their game plan and would have scored a good number of tries against a less resolute defence. Rumours of a few backs missing from their usual line up indicates that they may well have presented even more of a threat at full strength.

Overall a highly satisfactory road trip. Two more debutants in Jack Steele and Martin Whyte made excellent contributions as did the returning Kerr Gossman. The forwards fronted up in the tight and the loose with the scrum, in particular, showing improvement. The entire pack put in a huge defensive shift with David Patterson  leading the way ably assisted by the front row brigade of Feargus Haston (another fine 80 minute performance from the hooker) and his props. The boiler room of Lewis Brock and Angus Troop is gelling increasingly well with each passing week and Hugh Parker continues to do his thing in the line out and loose. It was a shame to lose Matt Smith relatively early in the game but as mentioned already, all the replacements did what was needed and then some.

If it’s forwards who win matches and backs who decide by how many points, it’s not hard to see why Ben Hutton is this week’s GHK Edinburgh Gin Man of the Match. Three tries – particularly the first three in a game, with two of sch quality –  is hard to argue with. Charlie Campbell continues to grow in confidence and effectiveness at scrum half, Craig Gossman maintained a good balance  between continuity and asking questions of the home side and the centres were as solid a pairing as you’d want in defence and attack.  Whilst Ben Hutton grabbed the limelight in the back three both Gavin McKirdy, whether on the wing or at centre, and Danny Campbell contributed to the overall effort.

Many thanks to all at Newton Stewart for once again setting  a high standard in hospitality. The post match meal, particularly the clearly home made apple crumble and custard, looked (jealous!) delicious.

Thanks also to Maureen and Hugh Parker senior  (and Morag) for again showing that it’s possible to fit an entire bus trip, including the excellent Ronnie the driver, into their farmhouse for a very welcome stop en route.

It’s away to Kirkcaldy this week in an early kick off (1230 pm at Beveridge Park) for GHK followed by an enticing clash with Dumfries at Old Anniesland on Friday 5th November. Fireworks, anyone? Kick off is 7.45 pm with a pre-match supper at 6.30 pm (limited places available) now open for booking on the GHK website Club Shop page: https://ghkrfc.com/all-products/

This is one you don’t want to miss.

Still a very long way to go but worth having a glance at the league table.