Hamilton hit nine tries in Cup romp

Jan 25 2007

HAMILTON marched into the fifth round of the National Cup, courtesy of a nine-try victory against Stewartry on Saturday.

The result sets up a February 3 trip to Edinburgh giants Heriots.

Hamilton took a full squad for their first visit to Castle Douglas in 23 years, conscious of a possible upset against National League 2 opposition.

The Bulls opened the scoring inside 10 minutes after being awarded a scrum for a Donald Dunlop knock-on.

Ronald Strydom passed out to Craig Sangster and he fed Stewart Eynon, who darted past Danny Boyd and Phil Broatch, before finding Allan Dodds.

The full-back drew opposite number Dale Ashby before passing right to Gerry Hawkes. With the line open in front of him, the veteran winger raced in to touch down for a 5-0 lead.

In 20 minutes, Stewartry conceded a penalty on halfway, and Bengy Barsanti moved the ball quickly, forcing another penalty, which Sangster kicked to the corner.

Ally Marshall rose to take Craig Collin’s lineout, feeding out to Craig Thomson.

Hamilton’s pack drove the Stewartry eight over the line and Thomson touched down, taking the score to 10-0.

As a driving hailstorm blew across the pitch, Barsanti collected the restart and broke upfield.

Under pressure, Stewartry conceded another penalty and Sangster put the kick into touch 10 metres from the hosts’ line.

Marshall again took the lineout and the pack drove over for Thomson to score, providing a 15-0 lead.

Stewartry had a great chance to score in 30 minutes but Allan Dodds and Alistair Smith slowed them down before Strydom was able to clear. Marshall stole the lineout and Strydom fed Sangster, whose long kick was knocked on by Ashby, giving Hamilton a scrum on the 22-metre line.

Gemmell picked up and ran at Dunlop, setting the ball back as Stuart Grieve tackled.

Strydom’s pop pass was taken by Marshall and the big lock drove forward, feeding James Medlock as he was grounded.

As Medlock was halted, Strydom switched ball left to Dodds, who passed to Hawkes, and he cut inside Cameron Fenwick to touch down, taking the score to 20-0.

Hamilton grabbed a fifth try two minutes before the break. Stewartry won their own put-in at the scrum, but as Dunlop and Grieve tried to run clear, Thomson intercepted and fed David Gemmell, who attacked the line.

Although tackled, he managed to stay on his feet and Hamilton mauled forward.

As Stewartry moved to defend, Strydom switched to Sangster and the ball was fed through Smith and Dodds to Hawkes, who grabbed his hat-trick. Kenny Diffenthal’s conversion took the half-time score to 27-0.

Hamilton increased their lead eight minutes into the second half after being awarded a penalty on halfway.

Sangster kicked to the corner, Marshall took the lineout and fed Gray as the pack prepared for another drive.

Stewartry blocked, but Bengy Barsanti spun off and raced up the blind-side. As he was tackled, he passed to Strydom, who fed the ball out through the backs.

Nigel Scullion — a replacement for Hawkes — made good ground through the centre but was stopped five metres short, only for Strydom to pick up.

He fed Sangster, and Eynon and Gemmell were quickly brought into play, with the latter crashing over for a 32-0 lead.

In the 55th minute, Marshall again took lineout ball on halfway, and Hamilton’s pack drove into the 22.

Strydom found Sangster, who passed to Eynon before looping for the return ball and feeding Dodds, who raced in try number seven. Diffenthal’s conversion took the score to 39-0.

Midway through the half, Hamilton grabbed their eighth try of the game.

David McGrath took a strike against the head 15 metres out on the right, Gemmell picked up and his pass to Strydom was fed to Sangster, who stepped between Dunlop and Boyd to score under the posts. Sangster converted his own try for a 46-0 lead.

Hamilton’s final try arrived with 10 minutes left, McGrath again taking the strike at the scrum and Strydom feeding Sangster.

Quick ball to Eynon allowed the centre to break through the defence. His pass found Dodds, who fed back inside to Sangster and he broke through the remaining defence to crash over. Thomson converted to complete a comprehensive 53-0 victory.

lThird-placed Edinburgh Accies visit Laigh Bent in the league on Saturday. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.