Saturday saw Cartha welcomed to Fortress Hughenden. Both teams having had a decent start to the season, and with a lengthy rivalry behind them the Fort’ was set for a hard-fought battle on the hallowed turf. Hills came out on top with 2 wins from 2 last year, but word on the street was Cartha were pretty confident, and after a poor show from Hills last week, they’d have been forgiven for being a bit on the cocky side…
A few notable absences in the team after some worrying injuries and a sending off at gloomy Ardrossan saw some enforced changes in the 1XV. With the 2XV boys playing in a very competitive league this year there should be some quality competition knocking about at training, a good position for the coaches to be in.
As ever actual facts may be gleaned from the match report at hjrfc.com, with, we have been reliably and repeatedly informed, an entirely factual and established scoring system, last used in 1942, I think…not as fictitious as previously reported, but ridiculous none the less.
An exciting game, great atmosphere in the ground, Newsteam had the luxury of a seat in the stand, out of the firing line of Keithy angry-face, but still not a stress-free encounter. Sitting up in the stand next to Mama-Gus we nearly found ourselves in the midst of some fisticuffs with the Cartha bufties after some close-quarters holler-offs, and animated discussion on the rules, and the referee’s…ahem…merits? Our money’s on Mama-Gus, should a real fight ever break out…
From the stand rugby was average with flashes of good, excitement was high, the score was tight. Some individual magic from Fireman Stu (*siiiiighhh*…) sorted the boys out, who raised their game to play for their Captain, set off what was ultimately a win, but by no means an easy or decisive one..27-21.HIlls always looked the better team, Cartha didn’t seem to have much to offer, but our boys failed to close the game out, didn’t capitalise on Cartha’s weaknesses in open play, and handed them a few cheap points. Not good enough. Cartha bossed the scrum, with the Hills pack struggling, something they made up for at line-out time, with Rosey on form, and Hazzy’s throwing more up to scratch than recently. Hadden had a good game at 9, bossing the forwards. But there is still something missing, lucky for Hills Gussy had a good game on the kicking side, and covered well at the back, but against a team with what looked like a less-than-alert backline Hills made hard work of the victory. Where’s the pretty rugby…?
Anyways, a win is a win, and maybes we are being too hard on the boys, but it just seems they have so much more to give, if they had a bit more belief, a bit more fight, they could close these games out.
Notable performances from the kind-of-sort-of new prop, who Newsteam’s never seen before, a man who went away and came back again, Will Goulden- Hills “Goulden-boy”…? Who made a few thumping tackles, Dave Simm who looked more switched on and aggressive in open play with some great close-quarters tackling, and some penetrating runs, to new winger boy who looked pretty quick, will hopefully get a chance to use his gas in games to come, and to Captain Stu who looked sharp, scored a nice try from the back of a line-out, and lead his pack, seems to be settling into his captain booties.
All things considered Chosen One goes to Hadden, high-pressure game, covering for injured golden boy Davy, he played well and obviously impressed the boss-man. Ladies Choice this week, as chosen by another guest lady pundit- who’s rugby experience extends to an impressive 1 month of spectating experience- goes to “that boy that does all the kicking stuff”, who we suppose to be young Gus, on account of Chicken being the only other “boy” who does a bit of kicking stuff, but ladies favourite…I suppose it could happen, but we had the ladies eyesight and fanny-o-meter radar checked, all seemed in working order, so we supposed Gus was the more likely choice.
Well done boyos, trip to Irvine next week. Hopefully this is us on the up…
Ladies played Cartha, billed (by themselves) last year as the best team in Glasgow, on Sunday, report to follow.
