Rugby: Hamilton scrape a draw at Howe of Fife

Sep 16 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

FOR the second weekend in succession, Hamilton drew their Scottish Hydro Premier 3 fixture, this time at Howe of Fife.

But this time the Bulls took a bonus point for grabbing four tries.

Howe started brightly but the Bulls defence coped with an early attack and put the ball downfield, where Stonehouse ref Gus Tweedale blew for offside against the hosts and Owen McLeish kicked for 3-0.

That lead was short-lived when the Hamilton backs lost control and were penalised, with Iain Aitken slotting for 3-3.

Hamilton stepped up the pace and after a few surges Richie Maxton rose to collect David McGrath’s lineout and fed the ball quickly to Stevie Turnbull.

The scrum-half’s pass found David Sutherland and the stand-off danced through the defence and offloaded to Craig Inglis to crash over for the first try of the afternoon.

McLeish’s conversion attempt flew wide but Hamilton led 8-3.

Howe attacked Hamilton again but the visitors held firm, reducing the Fife side to a penalty, which Aitken again kicked for 8-6.

This was added to moments later when Aitken slotted his third of the afternoon to inch Howe ahead 9-8.

Howe stretched further ahead when Chris McLaughlin thought he had put a great ball out wide but the hosts recycled and fired it out for Will Wardlaw to go in for an unconverted try and a 14-8 advantage.

Hamilton lost the services of McLeish early in the second half with a facial knock, with Andy Macfie replacing him.

A Howe scrum was then converted to a penalty and Aitken slotted his fourth of the afternoon for a 17-8 lead.

Hamilton threw everything at Howe in a bid to get back into the game and Ross Inglis looked to have burst clear only for Wardlaw to get back in time to force him into touch.

Hamilton stole lineout ball and David McGrath broke towards the line before putting Craig Inglis through. He was stopped just short but recycled ball went out to auxiliary winger Maxton, who crashed over in the corner for 17-13.

Hamilton continued to attack but were caught flat-footed when Howe broke, were awarded a penalty, and Aitken slotted his fifth kick of the game for a 20-13 lead.

Another penalty enabled Howe to put the ball into touch deep into the visitors’ half.

Terry Turpie secured lineout ball and with the forwards driving for the line Conar Dow scrambled over for 25-13.

With five minutes remaining, Hamilton came roaring back into the game when Maxton secured lineout possession and the forwards drove for the line.

A penalty award to Hamilton was tapped over in the corner by Stevie Turnbull and Maxton again took the catch.

A penalty was indicated but Hamilton kept going and Maxton supplied Chris Hunter to crash over the line for a score.

Ross Inglis’ conversion attempt slammed off the upright to leave the Bulls 25-18 behind with just minutes to play.

Howe kicked deep but Craig Inglis and Steven Morley surged forward before John Selfridge took things on. The pack arrived to ensure Hamilton maintained possession and Turnbull moved the ball left, where the backs moved it quickly through hands to reach Ross Inglis, who ghosted in for try number four.

Ross then stepped up and sent the conversion over for 25-25 right on the whistle.