Rugby: Hamilton fight back to draw 30-30 against Garnock

Mar 11 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Rugby Club fought back to secure a 30-30 draw against a hard-working Garnock side that belied their position at second-bottom of the Scottish Hydro Premier 3 table.

In a game that flowed from end to end the Hamilton lads opened the scoring in 90 seconds.

Craig Inglis’ kick-off had the Bulls moving forward and Chris McLaughlin, Ali Marshall, Andy Stephens, Owen McLeish and Andy Macfie combined to earn a lineout.

Marshall collected, the pack drove, and John Selfridge was credited with the try.

Garnock were then penalised, allowing McLeish to take the score to 8-0 after 10 minutes.

Garnock, however, rallied after these setbacks and a good move saw ball spun wide for scrum-half Paul McCrorie to score in the corner, reducing the gap to 8-5.

Hamilton then twice went close through Stephens and Dave McLean before Richie Maxton, Craig Sangster, Macfie, and Inglis combined to allow McLean to crash over for a 13-5 lead for the home side.

A good move by Garnock then saw Hamilton penalised for going over the top and PJ Eadie slotted over to make the score 13-8.

Gareth McCrorie was then first to react when the ball struck a Hamilton chest to put Garnock ahead for the first time in the game.

Despite the angle Eadie converted for a 15-13 lead.

That lead, however, was short-lived, as McLaughlin fed Inglis.

The Hamilton full-back chipped over the approaching defence and kicked ahead, winning a corner on the five-metre line.

Marshall rose to take the throw and, as the pack drove, Elvis Levi broke clear to crash over for an 18-15 interval lead.

It was Garnock who drew first blood in the second half with a move finished off by Michael Janieson, before Paul fed twin Gareth McCrorie with a quick-tap, with Eadie adding a conversion and penalty for an 30-18 advantage for the visitors.

With 20 minutes to go Hamilton threw everything they had at Garnock.

Despite going backwards at a scrum Selfridge managed to get the ball to Stephens.

He fed left to McLean and Marshall took it down the right.

Stephens switched play and Macfie and McLean were involved as Sangster darted through to score for the Bulls.

As the clock ticked down David Gemmell, Maxton, Gary Thornton and Sangster went close before Grant McCowan picked up to dive over for 30-30.

Inglis could have won the game for Hamilton but he sent the conversion and then a late penalty wide of the posts and both sides had to settle for a draw.

Hamilton Bulls under-16 player and Calderside Academy pupil, Calder Dallas was selected to start on his debut for Glasgow under-16s as they crashed to a 10-3 defeat against Caledonia in the first game of the 2010 U16 Inter District Championship.