Cartha QP 1st XV 22 pts Hillhead Jordanhill 1st XV 82 pts
Bernie Mitchell
With the blustery conditions in their favour in the first half, Hills were quickly into their stride and by the 30th minute of play had secured their 4 try bonus point. By half time, the visitors led by 34 points to five, and, in the second period of play, added a further 48 points. Their plucky hosts added a further 17 points to their tally and thereby secured their own 4 try bonus point.
Hills point scoring dominance and win was based on touch line security where captain Blair Colvin, assisted by flanker Dougie Price, bossed the line out. From the base of the set scrummage, no 8 Milan Marinkovic caused all sorts of frailty in the home defence, frequently splintering the opposition line, with his bullocking runs with ball in hand. Not far behind with aggressive ball carrying was tight head prop, Liam Tighe, who was too hot to handle in the loose, being able to choose whom to offload to.
The continuous shoal of first and breakdown possession spawned many try scoring opportunities which were readily accepted. In the first 40 minutes, Marinkovic, Tighe, Rory Harte, left winger Fionn Whyte and 2nd rower and captain, Blair Colvin all scored with Harte adding 1 penalty goal and 3 conversions off the kicking tee. After the break, right winger, Matt Murray scored twice, as did his replacement, Ayrton To, who later had to leave the field with ankle damage. Rory Harte added 2 more with Ryan Reilly, on his return to action after a break and playing out of position in the 13 channel, touched down. The final Hills try was scored by hooker, Dougie Sinclair, after some wonderful lead up work from Calum Weir. Rory Harte added 3 conversions while Craig Colvin, the younger of the brothers, kicked 1.
This was a fine run out from the visitors but the Hills coaching staff will have some concerns about the “ sleepy nature “ of some of the defensive drills during the second half which saw Cartha deservedly cross for 3 tries of their own. Attention now switches to game 3 of round 1 of the competition when Hills play host to Howe of Fife, the visitors on Saturday September 21st, KO at !5.00. Games between the 2 clubs have been very close, high scoring affairs and this coming Saturday’s should be no exception.
