The Hills Blog

7th Movember saw the angry men from Falkirk grace the Hallowed turf in a long anticipated top of the table clash. Keith’s boys had been building up to the match through the week, and were keen for a big game, a few nerves in the camp, but an excited confidence in the team nonetheless. A young team, with a few of their old-heads missing, Boss man did well to keep the nerves at bay and build the quiet confidence needed to take the game to Falkirk.

A few changes to the usual team as Captain Stu jetted off to Vegas, Vice-Captain Gaffer at 12 out through injury and Cammy still out of the game with a shoulder injury, Dougie Crichton filled the gap at 7 with Donald Pitkethly completing a formidable back-row at 8, Michael Martin taking the reigns at 10 with newbie Archie slotting in at 12. Marty took on Captain duties from the row, with Rosey backing him up as VC from 6. The quality of the squad shows through as 3 key players are easily covered for a big match, but Hills are lucky to have struck a deal that sees Michael Martin covering the 10 slot for a few games on loan from Hawks.

There was a great crowd down, a fair few having travelled from Falkirk, and Hughenden massive making up the rest, the noise was incredible, the atmosphere was brilliant, tension was high and the game went on…

A couple of penalties early on saw Falkirk go ahead, then Hill equalise. Both defences stood strong giving little to the dangerous runners from either team. Hills were quick to re-set from contact and Falkirk had to work hard for any ground they made. Soem good kicking fom Mikey Martin with untiring pressure in support from the wings Angels and Andy Leslie(the boy with the most beautiful hair. In the world, probably). Another penalty knocked over by Gussy saw Hills 6-3 up, but just before half-time good awareness and timing from Jinky McJinkerson from Falkirk saw him past a few tackles then kicking ahead for a good pick up and Falkirk score. 10-6 at half time.

By this point Newsteam had been quietly hyperventilating into their layers for approximately 39 minutes and had maintained a heart-rate within the realms of imminent danger for around…38 minutes. Half-time served as some release, though memories of what was actually said are gone…

So take two, 40 minutes, 10-6 down. So there was coming and going, to–ing and fro-ing, and Falkirk found themselves 13-6 up. We began to cry a little bit inside. Time for a change as David Armstrong came on at 9 with Haddon moving to the wing. Hills made their superior fitness work for them as the Kid kicked for spaces, taking the play deep into the Falkirk half with the Hills wingers scampering after and putting pressure on the tiring Falkirk backs. The plan paid off as Hills composure and discipline in reorganisation fielded the Falkirk kicking game easily and Gus and the Kid outwitted the Falkrik D(with a bit of help from Keith hollering on the sidelines) and Hills started to make inroads. A couple of penalties took the score to 13-12. It was very almost nealy too much, ladies were seen fainting in the crowds, one man may have exploded from the excitement. Maybe. Some quick service from Davey, and swift hands through the back saw Haddon fool the last line of defence(when he turns sidey-ways he very nearly disappears), dance past a couple of Falkirkians and score, the unconverted try took the score to 17-13, with not very many minutes to go.

Not very many minutes can be an awful long time. People can die in not very many minutes. Some people almost did, of heart failure.

So Falkirk found themselves camped out on the Hills line with their weighty pack bish-bash-boshing pick and go after pick and go from about a metre and a half out, but the Hills defence stood solid, thank the Lord, the boys kept their composure and Falkirk went nowhere, but surely they couldn’t withstand it for much longer. And then the ball appeared. at the feet of young Armstrong…he whipped it back to the Kid who kicked it deep into the Falkirk half, a full 15 chase ensued as Hills attempted to stop the counter, so with 15 Hills boys chasing up field, just over the half way line, the ball got a bit scrabbley, and come chirpy little Falkirker saw a lack of next line of defence and nudged the ball through on the ground. We all saw it happened. I nearly started to cry, the ball was through, Falkirk man was haring after it, he was going to pick up and score, they’d done so well. Sad faces.

And then from nowhere, Haddon Supermanned backwards out of the flat footed Hills chasing line and flew about 20m(give or take 17m) through the air, pouncing on the ball in front of the on-rushing Falkirk folks and saving us from a world of pain. And for a minute we all loved him. A wee bit of play happened, the ball went out and the whistle blew. 17-13, game over. Even writing about it makes me smile.

Things that were good. Defence was amazing, the superior fitness showed through as Hills were first up and away from every contact, rucking and all retention was a lot better than it has been, the pack did well in the scrums, and livened up in the line-out towards the end. Gus and Mikey Martin played a great heads-up kicking game, Andy Leslie, his beautiful hair, Angels and Haddon were relentless on the wings in defence and attack, making life difficult for the Falkirk boys. Good work at scrum-half by Haddon and latterly by Davey making life difficult for the Falkirk 9.

The pack have to be commended for their defence, great front-up tackling from the back 5, the Row once again playing as an extra pair of back rows, some great close-quarters tackling from the front row. DC was influential in defence, quick off the scrum and playing out in the backs stopping some hard-running from the Falkirk backs. Donald and DC played well together offensively, Donald looking a lot more commanding and confident at 8 than earlier in the season, and Dougie Crichton making some dangerous runs, making the transition to 7 look easy, though the crowds like seeing the danger man with ball in hand at 8. Muchos competition in the Hills back row.

Rosey was dominant at kick off time and in the line-outs, Hazzy worked well in set piece and looked dynamic in open play, Golden Will, Vinnie and Longwell were all strong in the contact, presenting themselves as options for Martin at 10. Marty had the difficult job of Captaining a tense match but kept the boys focussed and was useful as ever in open play and stole some good ball at lineout time. Ed looked lively in defence and put in some great hits, and was also a key factor in the Hills counter-ruck with good quick support upsetting Falkirk’s quick ball.

Haddon had a great game again, looking useful at both scrum half and on the wing, Mikey Martin kicked well from 10 and is looking massively more confident than he did last season, his spell at Hawks has done his game a lot of good, a commanding confident 10 he directed the play, giving a solid platform for the backs to play off. Archie did well slotting in at 12, making some good tackles for a little ‘un, Dan ran some dangerous lines, looking aware and dynamic breaking the contact and brutal in supporting the contact in attack, the wingers were both fabby, and Gus was dependable as ever at the back, with some added magic this week lookign very dangerous with ball in hand and heading up the counter attack from Falkirk’s kicking game. He was also influential in keeping Hills defence organised, covering the formidable Falkirk attack. Well done Gussy.

Armstrong made an immediate impact when he came on with his quick decisive delivery and more physical game at 9 upsetting the Falkirk play from the outset, Davey is also influential in defence, committed to the Robertson Body-on-the-line defensive style we do worry a wee bit about him…but he always seems to bounce back up. Vinnie was another impact sub, adding to the Hills dominance in the scrum later in the game, and contributing to the solid defence. Fisken also came on and seemed to settle the line-outs adding some much needed experience and calm to organise Hills offensive game in the pack.

Dave Simm looked dashing in his sub-suit but didn’t get a run this week. Everyone loves him anyway though.

All in all a ridiculously exciting game, the performance undoubtedly boosted by the vocal support, so get yourself a crew to come watch for all the home games, great to watch, well done boys. Everyone deserves a mention, and well done the Keith and Grant too, your boys done good.

Chosen One is a team award this week, Bossman is still undecided so Newsteam’s executive decision judges all worthy of the praise. Haddon is ladies choice this week, for his match saving leap at the end, his tireless efforts at 9 and his versatile switch to the wing, well done Haddon.

Chump of the week this week, a bit unfair as he did have a great game, looking aggressive and ruthless in defence, goes to Ed Rider for his mountain climbing efforts as Ed, who was born ready, so we heard…got impatient at the back of a ruck with the slow Falkirk folks taking their time getting the ball away Ed, not being one to break the rules(he has numerous nominations for both “Nicest” and “Politest” boy in the world competitions) went through the gate and clambered over the ruck. I think even he, as he bounded up and over the bodies piled 3 high, wondered a little bit what on earth he was doing, or what he might do when he got to the other side of the mountain…so Ed climbed over the mountain, to see what he could see, and there, sparkling and glinting in the distance was a much coveted Chump of the Week award with his name on it.

An epic tale, with actual rugby details, as ever, stolen from the Mitchell, any inaccuracies are entirely his fault.

Photographic evidence of this action packed epic is available courtesy of Falkirk photoman, including first hand footage of Ed’s chumptastic rucking technique.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frcgh/4090021244/in/set-72157622768406058/

After months of speculation, procrastination, false starts and general mucking about the long awaited day is now upon us. Radio Hughenden goes live!! (Yes that really was worth two exclamation marks). Educational. Fun. Thrills. Spills. Blood. Sweat. Toil and Tears – some or all of that may be awaiting you in the inaugural episode.

You can listen to it direct from the website or download it to your favourite MP3 player (we don’t do free advertising for Apple on this blog). If you like it, tell your friends. If you don’t like it, keep that to yourself as we really don’t want to know.

More details here – happy listening.

The media excitement bit, as mentioned in the last post, was sooo exciting I forgot to write about it…so, coming to a podcast near you soon:

Radio Hughenden! – coming in your ears.

With a number of insightful interviews with secret mystery guests, not secret in a top secret kind of way, if you ask the right people, or are largely not blind and deaf, you’ll probably have some idea who they are. And some yet-to-be decided filly-in bits, this is a potential new club institution not to be missed…

All will be revealed. Soon…so keep checking in for info.

The inaugural Halloween Ball went off with a bang, a fantabulous night had by all, remembered by some. First off, some thankyou’s to everyone who came along, to all who joined in the inspired games, to the hard working folks who organised and to the local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle and auction, a few of who would be…

Jelly Hill the perfect pit-stop for pre or post match drinkies, coffee, eats, up on Hyndland Road. Especially fabulous are the milkshakes and sparkly cupcakes. And the beautiful staff, helpful and smile they make Jelly Hill what it is. And they sell Jelly beans…which makes a place at least 20% better…

Italian Bistro newly opened just over the fence at the far corner of the training pitches, which is always lively with friendly staff and tasty Italian foods. With a great value lunch menu, and all of 5 minutes walk from Fortress Hughenden this is the perfect Saturday lunch before kick off, or if you fancy a bit of Italian post-match they’re just round the corner for dinner.

The Rock up and over the hill on Hyndland Road, great for Sunday dinner…as tested by a disappointed, soggy, cold HillJills team after a pointless trip through to Edinburgh for a match that was then cancelled. Sausages and mash in the giant yorkshire pudding- tip from the top. Tastytasty…

Coia the hairdressers across from Peckhams down the hill from Hyndland Road, well known among a few of the ladies having come to the rescue on disaster hair day for a certain youngster. Lovely ladies and guys, great service, good hair.

AMR just along from Coia, beauticians extraordinaire. Worth a visit, great attention paid by the lovely ladies inside, very kindly donated vouchers, a great reputation in the West End, head there for all your beautifying needs.

Thankyou all! So now you know, on good authority, where’s hot in our West End world, go visit guys and gals.

So Halloween was celebrated with an assortment of fabulous costumes, with homemade efforts appreciated, some engineering and invention, some sewing and gluing, a it of body-painting, some bought from shops(effort only slightly appreciated) and some slightly disturbing…but appreciated nonetheless.

DJ Vinnie did a great job MC’ing, kept the dance floor busy with some classics(?) plenty people joined in with musical statues, childhood classics are the best, though some dubious judging saw a few key players (ahem…notably Newsteam) unfairly ejected, well before their time. The next, partnered game, which needn’t be explored in detail was won by ladies coach Kitch and Jane, their winning pose- “The Angry Pirate” if we remember correctly- is one of the funniest things witnessed at Hughenden in a good while. Good work Kitchener.

Many costumes were also worth a wee mention, there were lots and lots, so apologies if anyone’s missed out. Special Newsteam mentions, based on entirely different criteria to the awards on the night, which began as costume nominations and deteriorated into hot girl, potentially in fancy dress, nominations…go to-

The eyeballs, Dan-dan and his considerably shorter friend made for a bit of a squinty glasses action. But good thinking, and great effort. Pac-man, mega points for home-made efforts by Kieran, Irn-bru ladies- beautiful interpretation of the Glasgow tan by Jenni and Louise, Dame Edna, Wayne’s World, Lumberjack, the Robin Hood’s one of whom was far too forthcoming with his take on the pros and cons of wearing tights, to He-man and Gollum who wore not very much, but good interpretations we supposes…a Chillpepper, a couple of gladiators, some cavepeople- complete with incredible hair- a star-trooper, maverick, a roman…and lots, lots more. Great efforts peoples.

Finally, outside the usual run of play, we have a chump of the week to award. To a boy, who, caught up in the annual problem of where to keep things in a pocketless costume, was heard confiding…

“I think I’ve lost a fiver in my boxers, it’s soo annoying.”

“Oh…right..why don’t you just, you know, go and…take it out?”

“Don’t worry. I’m looking for it.”

And we’ll leave you with that…the question of how wasn’t broached, in fear of the answer, but there he stood, next to the dancefloor, both hands visible to all, looking for his fiver. We don’t know if he found it.

Lots of money was raised, loads of fun was had, roll on the next funtimes Hughenden partaaaay.

Following their trip to the Capital for the Murrayfield game HillJills had a week off from league action, trained hard to build on the performance at Murrayfield, and trooped through to Peffermill to play Edinburgh Uni and put their training into action. With an unprecedented abundance of backs the Hills ladies have been converting some show-ponies to the forwards’ cause, so before we even start congratumalations to Lizzie, Caroline and Rhianne- you are no longer saft. Well…not all the time anyway.

A certain Miss Willis, founding member of the HillJills team, having joined the team as a centre in 1972, who made the step up to flanker, was heard proclaiming after the match, “God, I’m knackered, you have to work really hard in the forwards, it’s not like this in the backs…”. Not just a bunch of po-po’s after all eh…? Apologies accepted by the hard-working Hills pack I’m sure…

The game got off to a flier as the ball was spread wide from a scrum, following a kick off fail by the Uni, and little Pup scampered round their winger to run in a try from the half way line. Within not very many minutes she was on the run again, the Uni winger’s watching defeated as Pup upped a gear and pranced past…prancing and mincing were the order of the day for little pup, and she may well have scored 4 tries? Ridiculous…Moggs, added her fair share on the other wing hitting the ball at pace and unleashing some of Hills new moves on a staggered Uni defence. Moggs’ sticky mitts and aggressive running are giving the ladies some amazing options through the backs.

The forwards did well in the loose, though got a bit lazy in the contact, not turning over as much ball as they could have. The well drilled Uni side on the other hand were quick in support at the tackle situation winning some good turn-over ball. Some excellent shape and organisation in defence from Hills, seeing great communication and team working, saw the Hills close down any Edinburgh Uni threat, keeping their unbreached try-line intact.

Hills aggressive defensive line was impressive in stopping with everyone steppign up to the mark making some big tackles. Many tries were scored and HillJills try-line remained uncrossed, quite a feat this far into the season, the game finished 66-0. Coach Kitchener was a little green on the sideline after a riotous night in the capital, he reportedly didn’t appreciate having running touch and his repeated trips under the posts, but was pleased with the result nonetheless.

Chosen one this week was split three ways, between our prancey, dancey 11 and 14 and our newly blooded flanker Caroline who had a great game, dynamic and effective in the contact, and running well in the backs with some interplay with the Moggs to produce a few scores. Well done Caroline, Sarah and Moggs.

Chump of the week will go to Kitchener for the reckless abandon of drinking before a game, but well done to him for serving a more tha deserved punishment of running touch after our flying wingers.

Still to come are updates on the HillJills ladies’ league progress, and news and views from the Halloween Rugby Ball extravaganza!

And in the very near future we’ll know what became of Hills v Falkirk…Newsteam is already a little bit apprehensive in anticipation of a belter of a game. See you all there…

Well, again, at some point before now, on a Saturday, Morgan came to Fortress Hughenden to take on the mighty Hills. Mid-table Morgan have had an average start to the season, and as shown last year are capable of good things, so this game was a potential trip-up for a Hills team who’ve been closing out games without being spectacular.

From the stand it was good to see Marty back in the fold after a run of injuries plaguing his early season. There’s a lot of competition among the impressive Hills pack these days, playing more of a back 5 than a back 3 with quick dynamic players in the “Row”, Hills have been playing a high tempo game with the opposition having trouble keeping up.

So off to a fantabulous start we emerged, a wee smidgen late, from the clubhouse to see some good play between Fireman Stu and Dan-dan to feed a flying Dougie Crichton who whizzed past like a little quartered blur, on his way to running in a try from about 4 miles out, leaving Morgan players scattered in his wake. Morgan looked to come back from this early set-back, but faced with a scary Hills winger their overlap was lost to a fumbley-fumblerson knock-on, one of the few times when a quick fumble is not regarded a success…

The early score was a view of things to come, and Hills were quickly on the up, looking fresh and creative through the backs, with unrelenting quick, tough play up front from the forwards. The unfortunate loss of Cammy McCulloch, who’s had a good solid start to the season, to a shoulder injury saw a reshuffle in the backs. Dan-dan stepped up to the plate and slotted in at 10, with newbie Archie finalising this makeshift Hills back line.

Dan certainly did his bit at 10 looking dangerous on the ball, bossing the backs to release some impressive moves, leading to lots more scores. Newish winger Andy Leslie – the boy with the most beautiful hair – also deserves a mention for some good positive running, he linked well with the other backs, came off his wing, and made inroads into the Morgan defence. Rosey was influential as ever, winning ball in the loose. Vinnie had a few good runs, and the tactical replacement that saw the Goulden boy take to the field couldn’t have been better timed. The lifted Morgan pack encountered some solid close-quarters tackling and unstoppable running from the tight 5, making ground quickly, giving Haddon good clean ball to play with.

The young scrum-half had another good game, and is getting up to pace with the scrumhalf fitness, Newsteam was witness to some very welcome, entertaining hand-bags between the scrumhalfs at scrum time. Well done to young Haddon, we likes this.

Lots of points were scored, with an eventual scoreline of 55-6 the boys were looking good going into a hard few weeks of league action. Keith was impressed with the performance and was seen flashing his colgate smile post-match, the boys done good.

And with that smile the accolade of Chosen One this week goes to the very deserving Dan Witko, who looked impressive at 13, and stepped up a gear with his switch to 10 to run the show. With a try of his own, some dangerous running, good creative rugby from 10, solid defence and great organisation to keep the boys focussed and on track Dan-dan impressed the boss man this week. Also, as some of you may know the beautiful Dan features as a Scottish Rugby poster boy on some promotional SRU material, keep a spy out for him, gunshow and all.

Ladies choice this week, awarded to someone who came on and made a difference, and who has the added bonus quality of mystery, being a Hills newbie, goes to Archie. Well done boyo.

Chump of the week this week goes to a certain member of the Hills media team who accidentally left the first ever Radio Hughenden interview unrecorded as his phone technology got the better of him. Radio Hughenden may well feature as a Christmas Special, once we’ve pinned down our interviewees…any requests or ideas send them our way. So chump of the week, in the interests of anonymity we will not be pointing any fingers, in any particular Stuart Munro shaped direction…

The 2XV boys were in action at Hughenden mid October aganst West of Scotland. Having won their league early doors last year Cahoon and Gareth’s team were set for a hard season this year. The loss of a number of players, including a few heading on up to the first team has hit the 2’s hard, they’ve put in a good showing this year but are struggling with the standard. Playing in the top 2XV league they are excelling their 1XV counterparts, and playing against teams of a similair standard to those in Prem 2/3 – so say the crowds.

The frustration of constant squad changes isn’t something to rattle King Cahoon, however, laid back as ever, verging on horizontal at points, the silver bullet has kept his boys heads up and there has been some good rugby on show.

Without the luxury of an actual match report to nab bits from this will be an assortment of remembereds. There was some good interplay in the backs, some strong running breaking the West line, but a lack of sharpness in support meant little was made of these chances. The back row did well through the middle of the game, strong in the contact, and running with the backs, however with some slow distribution the sharper West defensive line were able to smother any Hills possession.

Special mentions this week to Orange Boots(Oh my! Just like in the first blog? Well, the same but different. Different man, different boots, different skills…same colour?) well done to Smiley Scott Busby who looked dangerous in attack, running some good lines, gaining ground, and tireless in defence, kept his head up when some others seemed to have given in. Also a mention to Cammy Hogg, returning from injury to the back row, who ran his little socks off, looked dangerous off the back of the line out and out running with the backs, back to full fitness he’ll be a dangerous asset in this league.

Awards this week, from King Cahoon the Chosen One is Andrew Jebowski, the guy who looks like Richard Nixon…who played well and consistently, covering some positional changes and saving a few points with his relentless last line of defence. Ladies Choice, from special guest lady, who was, it must be said, not terribly impressed with the performance as a whole, was Carlos the speedy winger, who put some good pressure on the West back 3, but didn’t have much opportunity with ball in hand.

All in all, not a great result, but some flashes of good rugby. It’d be good to see a bit more support down for the 2XV, they’re holding the fort in a very hard league this year, in the unfortunate position of being subject to smash and grab raids on their squad when the firsts are struggling – Granty does the smashing, Keithy does the grabbing…quite a team really.

So get your bahookies down to watch the 2XV if you’re not keen for being travelling support, introduce yourself to King Cahoon, buy him a drink, and you may get a free match analysis session in the bar post match in his dulcit Irish tones. You don’t have to listen, just let the Irishness lull you.

10th October saw Perthshire visit Fortress Hughenden. 10th October was also 3 and half weeks ago. Three and a half weeks is a long time in rugby, and an even longer time in rugby reporting, as we like to pretend this is. Unless you spend that 3 and a half weeks in solitary confinement, and preferably sensory deprivation, or you, you know, take notes or something, then the truth ferments and matures, becoming vintage truth – the kind that has some links to reality, but may not correspond exactly to, say, video evidence.

Luckily Mitchell Snr was reliable and punctual as ever with his match report, and Newsteam is too afraid to misrepresent Keith to forget who the Chosen One was, so this will become some semblance of truth, remembered fact and Bernie-fact, moulded together with due care and attention to produce Newsteam’s version of OldNews.

The game started out tight, with the few scores coming from penalties, expertly managed by Gussy. Hills stayed alert, kept their shape and eventually started making inroads, capitalising on Perthshire’s mistakes. The forwards did well producing clean ball for Haddon to distribute. Set-piece was looking strong with hard work from al 8 to keep the scrum solid, and some good tidy work from Rosey in the air to make the line-outs productive. The backs were looking lively with strong running from Mini on the wingand some good solid play from Gaffer at 12. Haddon had a good game again at 9, looking fresh and nippy doing a goodjob of annoying their scrum half.

So, many points were scored, most notably by Gus who has now scored approximately a gajillion points for Hillhead/Jordanhill(t.b.c. by Mr Statfact), and the game finished 42-9, another good bonus point win for the boys, closing out the game towards the end wit their superior fitness and composure.

And so, on to the real fun. Some way into the game an injury was sustained in the front row, Newsteam, being in the business of truth, and far from the realms of gossip or hearsay, couldn’t possibly comment on whether this injury fell into the “I got an owieee!” slightly saft category, or the “Aww…man, going to tape my head back together and stem the bleeding so I can go back on?” real manly type injury. Super-ref, Mr. England, however, felt suitably qualified to judge as he first enforced English rules, whereby a player can’t return to the field after being subsituted. Having been quietly and calmly informed by Keith that he may in fact have been mistaken and that the rules were slightly different on this sunny-side of the border, the referee chose not to backpedal, but instead upped a gear, stormed full pelt ahead and confirmed the injury, from 50 paces, as any good doctor might, as far too serious for the player to return to the field of play.

Calm Keith was a little ticked off, “Good Sir, I understand that you normally work in Englandshire, but those rules do not apply here, perhaps if you let me explain…? And pray tell, are you a medical professional? Might it not be more appropriate that our paid health professional decide whether the player is fit to return to the field of play?” said he, in words to that effect.

Ref, “Peeep! Peeep!” thinks…”Maybe if I carry on trying to set the line-out, and look the other way the scary man will go away and leave me alone…”

With no response from Mr England, calm Keith fumed back to his technical area, the referee continued to ignore the scary man, the ref assessor was seen cowering in the back of the stand and the game continued…

Another full set of awards for this week, the nod from boss man Keith went to hooker Hazzy who was instrumental in the smooth running of the set-piece, and put in a fair shift in open play. Well done Hazzy, Chosen One for the week. Ladies Choice this week goes to a player who is in the (un)fortunate position of having hit such a run of good form, performing consistently well, influential in all areas of play that he would have to do something fairly spectacular and super-human to get the nod from boss man Keith, however, the lady we asked was suitably impressed, so well done to Dougie Crichton, another great game at 8.

Chump of the week is this time awarded outside the field of play to Tailsy who managed to sustain an injury while waving his flag on the touchline. He was seen receiving close personal attention for his groin strain from physio Graham.

Sunday 4th October saw the ladies heading to Murrayfield to play on the shiny new 4G pitch against current league and cup holders Murrayfield Wanderers. Hills narrowly missed out to Murrayfield last year, and the Edinburgh team have built quite a reputation over the past few years, so this was set to be quite a battle. The HillJills had a notable absence in Miss Hutchinson, but had trained hard through the week and were looking forward to some running rugby on the artificial pitch.

With some travelling support and both of our coaching team present the ladies set out to take the game to Murrayfield, to play the fast, disciplined, dominating style (attractive in a lady…?) they’ve been putting into pratice in the early season.

The game was tight from the offset, with some fantabulous defence from the Hill girls. Murrayfield seemed to be missing the threat and running lines of full-back Millard who made a move south of the border at the end of last season. Any ball they had was closed down quickly by the Hills backline, the fast line-speed putting their backs under pressure. Hills failed to capitalise on this pressure though, being, for wont of a better word, a bit saft in the breakdown, and failing to make as much turn over ball as they could have. Ball that was won appeared to be won on the back foot and, comfortable in their defensive stance and structure, Hills were slow to make go forward ball, making it easy for the Murrayfield defence.

The pack did well against their counterparts despite the early loss of hooker Wilko to a broken collarbone, a few blue lights and neenaws later she was hooked up with a sling and back to school, meantime a pack reshuffle left us a bit strapped in the back row with L-Dawg moving to tight-head, and Lucifer learning a new trade at hooker. Dawg, used to getting her bosh on at 8, dominated the front-row, making life difficult for their experienced loose-head who couldn’t compete, and eventually earned a sin-binning for her attempts. The scrum, strengthened at the front,won a few against the head, no mean feat (on paper…) against the Murrayfield personnel, but the Murrayfield back row did well in stifling any quick possession off the scrums.

Some awesome try saving tackles from centre Emma and full-back Hazel kept the HillJills uncrossed try-line intact. An incredible tackle from Haze on a rampaging Lana Blyth who stormed down the wing unfortunately saw her side-lined, a wee bit sparkled.

Jules did well under pressure from 10, spotting the weaknesses in the back 3 and putting in a few searching kicks, gaining the HillJills some ground. Unfortunately Hills failed to find a next gear, settled into a defending game, and while the defensive game was impressive, they lacked the spark needed to beat a challenging Murrayfield team.

Murrayfield did well in the loose,making the most of the new breakdown rules and winning some good turnover ball through Ruth and Lana. Confusion was rife as one of the Murrayfield internationals gave us a sneak preview of what may be a new secret Scotland penalty move as, from a quick tap she promptly ran 3m, turned round and stood presenting the ball to her team, despite not yet having encountered any opposition…

The eventual score line was 3-0, as scrumhalf Gilly slotted a penalty despite having allegedly been disabled by her opposite number. A disappointing show from HillJills, not maximising their chances, and a few things to work on for next time, Chosen One for the ladies that week, for great efforts and pressure in defence went to Emma McBride at 13, with a special mention also to Rachy Nic who was picked as Man of the Match by Murrayfield, she is all man after all…

The inflammatory match report later to appear on the Murrayfield webpage, now slightly edited, does nothing for their reputation in Scottish Women’s Rugby, it would be disappointing to think it reflected the attitudes of the Murrayfield Wanderers club.