West of Scotland 1st XV 29 points Hillhead Jordanhill 1st XV 33 points
This was another close run game between these two clubs, this outcome mirror imaging their first league clash in September 22 which West then narrowly won 34-32. Here in January 23, Hills just sneaked home by a penalty try, 3 goals and one try to 3 goals, one try and a penalty goal. Yet drill down below the mere stats, and you will find that West played some 50 minutes without their influential captain, Scott Cochrane, dismissed for a second yellow card offence. But that numerical superiority takes nothing away from the Hills eventual win, based on a very spirited team performance.
However, after the first 10 minutes play, it looked as if West would blow Hills away, so lacklustre in general had been the visitors’ performance and catastrophic in particular from Rory Harte, their stand-off and captain, who gave the impression he was wearing his working boots for the game. West sailed into a deserving 7 points lead and looked unstoppable. But “ Hills “ eventually came to : initially due to their forwards close driving play which caused West to concede a penalty try and then Rory Harte’s rediscovering his form to send his backs away on a fine attacking run. Outside centre Andrew Brown, straightened the line to make room for full back, Damien Genocchio, who scorched over the green sward to score a fine try. Nonchalantly Rory Harte converted from the right hand touchline, and the visitors were back in contention. Another try flowed quickly, once again from their close range cohesive forward driving, based on Jonny Agnew’s flawless line out work. Somehow left winger, Sean Black, found himself with the ball when the maul drove over the line. Rory Harte duly converted the try and Hills were on fire, 21-7 ahead. But their flames were quickly extinguished, as in the same incident which saw West lost their captain, Roy Harte was shown a yellow card. Hills were rudderless for 10 minutes but West were seemingly galvanized and they tore into the visitors with such conviction that by half time, the score had narrowed to 21-19 for Hills.
The second half was a close as a competitive Club rugby game as you wish to watch. Hills recovered their composure and shape on the return of their talisman, Rory Harte, who franked his second half performance with some siege gun kicking from hand and astute reading of the game. His team mates helped with their never say die attitude in the face at times of relentless West pressure. Open side wing forward, Matt Henderson, tireless in both attack and defence, combined well with centre, Scott Halliday, to hound the West rearguard. The ball popped up to second rower, Robbie Thomson who barged his way over the line to score. The conversion was a formality, but West were stung into action and their right winger, Orii, scored a fine try in the right hand corner. The conversion sailed over and it was “ game on “ again. Hills resilience was outstanding and they soon set up camp once more in the home twenty two. After many phases of play In the shadow of the posts, Harte opened out to his left and Scott Halliday went on a long run to finish off out wide on the left.
That made 33- 26 to the Hills with 8 minutes left on the electronic scoreboard. West went on the attack and kicked a fine penalty to make the margin only 4 points with 5 minutes left. A midfield arm wrestle ensured with West creating the chances, roared on by their vociferous supporters. A West break with the line at their mercy came to nothing with a knock on, and then a penalty which should have been kicked direct touch to set up the attacking platform was fielded magnificently by Graham Davidson whose “ goalkeeper” like instincts allowed him to pass the ball safely to fullback Damien Genocchio , and the “Ginger Flash” booted the ball out of play to be followed immediately by the full time whistle from the admirable match referee, Gordi Reid.
Great game, great performance from ALL.
