Hillhead Jordanhill 9 points Murrayfield Wanderers 3 points (game abandoned after 74 minutes, Hillhead/Jordanhill win)

This was a gutsy performance from the Hills in a floodlit game, played in atrocious conditions of heavy wind driven rain. Visitors Murrayfield Wanderers had all the momentum in the first quarter playing up the slope towards the clubhouse, but all they had to show for their ascendancy was a short range penalty which cannoned off one of the uprights and was cleared swiftly. From that point, Hills came more into the game, helped by a much improved performance on the touchline from line out jumpers, Charlie Smillie and Chris Warnock. They should have scored a try following a thunderous break from his own twenty two by Jonny Hamilton-Potter, but the opportunity was lost close to the visitors’ try line. Rory Harte, however, allowed his side to have a six point lead at the interval, thanks to two well struck penalty goals.

The pattern of play continued in the second period with Hills having the bulk of territory and possession, but just being unable, on such a foul night, to play sufficient quality wet weather rugby to get across the line. Replacement prop, Ross Jackson, ran well for some fifty metres, but his breakout did not produce a clear try scoring opportunity. The scoring in the second half was restricted to an exchange of penalty goals between the respective kickers, Rory Harte and Alex Godsmark.

The game did, however, produce two long stoppages of play in separate incidents for medical attention to two front row players. Fortunately the Murrayfield Wanderer was eventually able to walk from the field, albeit slowly, to the comfort of the stand. Ross Fergusson, the Hills tight head prop, was less fortunate and had to be stretchered off and taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Everyone, players and supporters, were mightily relieved to learn that the problem was related to serious soft tissue damage and Ross was able to leave hospital on Saturday morning.

Hills play next at home on Saturday the 17th November with a 13.45 KO against St.Boswells from the Borders.

Hills 1st XV – Craig Colvin (Euan Brown), Jimmy Griffith (Craig Colvin), Damien Genocchio, James Hamilton-Potter, Ciaran Callaghan, Rory Harte, Alex Gibbons, Ross Fergusson, Harry Perston, Daryll Elvin (Ross Jackson), Chris Warnock, Charlie Smillie, Bill Kenny, Scott McMillan and David Vallance. Subs Toby Mitchell

Report and Picture: BBM
Hills Kicks video (below) courtesy of M.Malone, embedded in the supporters crowd

HILLHEAD JORDANHILL 1st XV 5 pts NEWTON STEWART 1st XV 35 pts

On a day stolen from the height of mid-summer, Hills battled bravely against a physically superior and more abrasive Newton Stewart side, but ultimately succumbed by five goals to one try, a margin which slightly flattered the victors. Hills had to rely on all their defensive skills in a fierce opening burst from Newton which found them pinned back in their twenty two for most of the opening quarter. Break outs were limited, and when they occurred, stand-off Rory Harte, was almost always the instigator. Following a longish injury break for attention to second rower, Alex Armstrong, who happily recovered well, Harte took play downfield with a fine crossfield kick which bounced wickedly for the visiting defence. Jimmy Griffith pounced quickly on the loose ball to set up the attacking ruck, and three phases later, fullback Arnaud Bauchet beat the Newton cover out wide to score. This was the last occasion, after twenty eight minutes of the game, that Hills would trouble the scoreboard operator, but their contribution thereafter to what was an enjoyable high tempo game was considerable. Certainly the clash of heads which caused centre Scott Halliday to leave the field with a badly gashed forehead did not assist their efforts, but replacement Michael Jones fitted in well on his 1st XV debut, some 42 years after his father, Gordon first played in a Hillhead jersey.

There were two principal differences between the sides. The visitors, whenever they entered the home twenty two, always seemed to come away with a try whereas the Hills for all their efforts at times over elaborated and were predictable in their approach, unless Harte added a cross kick or change in the point of attack. Additionally, Newton had more damaging broken play runners with the ball in hand than Hills, and it was the cumulative effect of continuous tackling and defensive chores at the breakdown that eventually sapped the resolve of the Hills in the final quarter when they had little left to offer. Yet for all their relative physical inferiority, the Hills set scrum was solid all afternoon, and occasionally caused some degree of discomfort on the visitors put in.

Season 2017/18 concluded then with a home defeat but the Hills, their coaching team, players and supporters can take some comfort from the fact that after three very poor seasons in the leagues some degree of stability has now been achieved which gives hope for a renaissance in 2018/19.

Hills 1st XV: Arnaud Bauchet, Jamie Maddox (Graham Davidson), Scott Halliday (Michael Jones), Scott Busby, Jimmy Griffith, Rory Harte, Dan Williams (C), Blair Mackenzie (Ross Jackson), Harry Perston, Mo Adams (Ross Ferguson), Bill Kenny, Alex Armstrong, Conor Ferguson, James Reekie, Preston McGoldrick Subs all used.