Hamilton Rugby Club secure late points

Sep 24 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

hamilton 20 perthshire 20

HAMILTON maintained their third position in the Scottish Hydro Premier 3 table with a narrow win at Perthshire on Saturday.

The Laigh Bent club made it a triple-header with their 2nds also winning 23-21 at Perthshire in the Scottish Reserve League Division Two, while the 3rds’ Division Six West match at home to GHA Gazelles finished 54-27.

The 1st XV left it late to win their match, but could and should have tied it up earlier.

Hamilton shocked their hosts with a quick-fire start. Despite knocking on Owen McLeish’s kick-off, the Bulls’ pack redeemed themselves as they drove the Perthshire eight back and earned a free-kick as the home front row stood up.

Ronald Strydom quickly tapped, setting Gerry Hawkes free, the veteran wing-forward broke forward and won a penalty for offside.

Another quick take by Strydom was taken on by the forwards before being fired out the backs for Craig Inglis to pass on to his brother Ross, who cut through the remaining defence to score. McLeish’s conversion took Hamilton 7-0 clear after just three minutes.

Strydom had a try disallowed after referee Alan Hoyle ruled that there had been a forward pass.

Although Hamilton dominated they failed to do anything with possession and after a couple of forays forward, Perthshire pulled some points back after Wayne Matson slotted a penalty.

At the same time Hamilton coach Ian Morrison was forced to reshuffle his pack as John Selfridge retired injured; skipper Richie Maxton moved back to number 8 and Ross Oattes came on in the second row.

Hamilton encountered further problems when Craig Inglis limped off to be replaced by Andy Macfie.

The Bulls kept attacking and McLeish had an opportunity to stretch their lead, but pulled a penalty wide.

Matson missed another penalty for Perthshire but a second award was kicked for the corner.

Adam Pattinson rose and collected the ball and pack drove forward. Although Oattes seemed to bring the maul down legally, the referee decided otherwise and sin-binned him.

Perthshire took advantage, employing the rolling maul to take the game close to the posts, where Andy Elder switched play to the backs and Craig Assenti ran in unchallenged to touch down, putting the hosts 8-7 ahead.

Hamilton fought back and when McLeish was held on the ground this time he made no mistake with the penalty, putting Hamilton 10-8 ahead as the half-time whistle sounded.

Still with a numerical advantage Perthshire made a strong start to the half and only a desperate tackle by Strydom prevented an early score.

From the resulting pile-up David McGrath had to go off with a cut above his eye as Hamilton’s injury worries mounted.

Perthshire stepped up the pressure and when ball was spun left, winger Dom O’Connor ran in for a second try, regaining the lead at 13-10.

Restored to 15, the Bulls attacked from kick-off with Maxton taking the ball on, supported by Coutts and Chris McGeogh.

McGrath, complete with bandaged head, burst through the middle and recycled as he was stopped 30 metres out.

Strydom swung the ball left and a chip from McLeish gave Matt Fay no choice but to put the ball out.

Maxton rose to collect McGrath’s throw and although Garry Coull disrupted the take, Strydom tidied and found a gap to score and put Hamilton back ahead at 15-13.

Perthshire moved down the right with the forwards employing a rolling maul. Hamilton stopped the momentum and Maxton pulled the ball-carrier down, earning a spell in the sin-bin.

Perthshire were unable to make anything of their numerical advantage and as Maxton returned to the park Oattes took a heavy hit – yet was penalised.

Matson missed the kick, but Hamilton’s pack had to be reshuffled again as Oattes was replaced by prop John Lindsay, with Kevin McCann moving to middle row.

Perthshire threw everything into attack and with eight minutes remaining Matson broke through the centre, ball was moved right, and Erland Oag finished the move in the corner for 18-15.

As time ran out Maxton stole a lineout ball on halfway and Strydom moved it along the backs to Dave McLean, who made ground up the left before being halted on the 22.

Fay’s kick was collected by Inglis and fed to Chris McLaughlin, who powered down the pitch and secured a penalty.

McLeish put the kick into the corner and Maxton set it up for the forwards to drive on, with Russell Coutts getting the final touch for his first-ever try and a two-point lead for the win.