Garnock 36 pts Hillhead Jordanhill 21 pts
Bernie Mitchell
Given Hills travelled “light” in terms of personnel to play Garnock on the not unreasonable basis of “resting” senior players for the Arnold Clark National Cup final at Murrayfield on Easter Saturday, April 19th, the outcome of this final NL3 match was far from unsatisfactory.
A fairly even first half in terms of territory and possession founds Hills coming from behind twice to stay even with their hosts. Hills had pace and quick hands out in the wide channels for much of this period, but already the well nourished Garnock pack were exacting a heavy toll of the lighter Hills forwards, particularly in the set scrums which saw the visitors frequently in reverse gear and conceding penalties. But Blair Colvin was his usual competitive self on the touchline and scrum half Angus Rutter’s service quickly sparked the Hills’ backs into action. Good distribution from Blair Forsyth at 10 and via the coltish centres, Adam Winter and Callum Spiers, provided opportunities for wingers Corrie Dicks and Ayrton To to make powerful runs. It was from Corrie Dicks’ meandering touchline run in the first quarter which provided his wing mate, To, the opportunity to glide through unopposed to touch down, Blair Forsyth converting. Some good ball winning at the breakdown from Toby Brainwood, led to further broken play opportunities for the Hills backs, and this time it was Angus Rutter’s chance to break the line from 30 metres out to touch down, once again Blair Forsyth converting. The 14-14 half time score was just about correct, but the latent power and physicality of the Garnock pack had yet to be released.
The third quarter saw Hills increasingly on the back foot with Garnock inching ahead to lead 21-14 after 50 minutes. But incredibly a wonderful piece of opportunism from flanker, Archie “ Curly” Corbin, who intercepted from 55 metres out to scorch unopposed to touch down with Forsyth’s 3rd success off the kicking tee brought Hills level. However, that was the last time Hills disturbed the Garnock defence, as the Lochshore forward pack began to punch holes from their shoal of 1st and 2nd phase possession. Despite brave tackling, both around the fringes and midfield where there was a significant amount of oak felling, Garnock inexorably pulled away from the visitors to record a 5 point National league victory, outscoring their visitors by 3 goals and 3 tries to 3 goals.
This was no disgrace to the visitors, a few of whom had until this game not experienced rugby at this level before. Also the run out for the returning 1st XV 2nd rowers, Blair Colvin and Lewis Lightbody, was a worthwhile exercise.
Next Saturday, ALL ROADS lead to Murrayfield for the Arnold Clark National Cup vs Gordonians, NL2 league champions; and our women who compete in the final of the Sarah Beaney Cup, again on the National Stadium turf.
Our men kick off at 12.45 while our women play the final tie at 18.30.
