Cartha
QP 1st XV 27 points Hillhead Jordanhill 1st XV 34 points
This was 80 + minutes of fluctuating fortunes for both XV’s at Dumbreck, the home ground of Cartha QP. The first quarter belonged unequivocally to Cartha who led by 17 pts-5. Eventually Hills woke up in the second quarter to rattle on 17 unanswered points to reach the interval at 22-17 ahead. But the hosts came back immediately to 20-22 with the score staying that way until the start of the final quarter when it seemed as if Cartha had taken the game away from the visitors at 27-22. But in a remarkable final 5 minute passage of play, Hills levelled at 27 all and then deep into added on time snatched a dramatic last minute winner to finish victors on 34 -27. Hills scored 5 tries with one of these a penalty try, while Cartha had 4. Hills gathered 5 league points while Cartha had the 2. Additionaly Hills “won” the yellow card count with 3 “dismissals” to the Host’s 2. However it was a very competitive fixtue, rather than a dirty one.
It was a curate’s egg of a game, frustrating for both sets of players and their supporters, with some fast moving passages of continuity rugby interspersed with frequent errors but whole heartedly contested. Hills owed their victory to their half backs, scrum half Fraser Ebbit, who opened and closed Hills account with 2 fine sniping tries, and stand off and captain Rory Harte who has frequently played better. but whose weight of kicking from hand repeatedly made ground for his team. His skill in forging 50-22 kicks marked him out from others on the field.
Matthew Henderson backed up well to score Hills second try following a fine Matt Murray break up the right wing. The visitors’ third try was a penalty try awarded when Rory Harte was impeded in picking up a loose ball with an uninterrupted clear run to the line. Hills penultimate try was scored by debut winger, Ewan Cameron, who had to work hard despite full back Ayrton To’s entering the line to give the final pass. Fraser Ebbit finished off his half back partner’s half break in the 22 to scorch across the line. Rury Harte converted to finish his side’s effective work for the day.
It is unsurprising that the Hills squad remains a work in progress for the coaching staff given the large churn of players since season 2022/2023. The scrummage is solid with Niall Hall on the loose head and Laim Tighe on the tight being very competitive, but the composition of the back five has yet to settle. Jayson Denley’s line-out prowess is to be commended. In the backs last year’s star, Damien Genocchio ( aka the Ginger Flash ) has yet to flare.
Hills return to Hughenden on the September holiday weekend Saturday, the 23rd, for the north Glasgow derby against old rivals, West of Scotland FC. It’s a 15.00 start in what promises to be a very close game.
