Hamilton maintain unbeaten run with win over Cartha QP

Oct 14 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON maintained second spot in the Scottish Premier 3 table, with just a point separating them from leaders Whitecraigs.

The Bulls got off to a flying start at Laigh Bent when John Selfridge and Fraser Watt returned a Cartha kick deep then spun ball wide for Ross Inglis to go in at the corner for a very quick 5-0.

Cartha tried to get back into the game but Hamilton were up quickly to spoil and Andy Scott was forced to kick to touch. Tamati Rhind secured lineout and Stevie Turnbull broke free before releasing Ash Mason, but he was forced out.

On another break Ron Strydom burst free with support from Owen McLeish, but the final pass went astray with the line beckoning.

Both sides tried to add to the score but when Strydom looked to have found Selfridge in acres of space the referee pulled play back for a forward pass.

Robert Cowie linked well with Steven Morley to break down the pitch and when the latter was stopped he found Turnbull, who set David McGrath free to burst into the Cartha defence.

When Chris Hunter was stopped Cartha were penalised for offside and Ross Inglis slotted for 8-0.

Things started to look even better shortly afterwards when Richie Maxton and Rhind drove forward and earned another penalty, which Ross Inglis slotted for 11-0.

With the interval fast approaching Cartha secured scrum ball and quickly moved it wide for Andy Scott to score, with Iain Chisholm tagging the extra points for 11-7.

With their tails up from this score Cartha quickly stole possession back and Calum Dickson for fortunately held up as he went over for a score.

However from the resulting five-metre scrum John McCrossan got ball out wide towards the wing and Scott went over for his second try to give Cartha a 12-11 half-time lead.

Hamilton tried to get back in front early in the second half but Strydom burst free only to see his pass to Ross Inglis intercepted by Chisholm, who tapped the ball into touch.

Jared Tuoro was making telling runs through the centre and using his power to good advantage, but Hamilton couldn’t take advantage.

Cartha added to their score when Iain Cook was in quickly to secure a loose ball and supply McCrossan, who in turn released Scott McInnes to reach the corner for an excellent score, with Chisholm converting for 19-11.

Hamilton pulled themselves back into the game and Inglis sent a penalty attempt just wide before making amends shortly afterwards, reducing the deficit to 19-16.

Cartha substitute Andy Crozier was yellow carded for a high tackle, but despite being reduced to 14, the visitors stretched their lead further when Chisholm slotted a penalty for 22-16.

As the game went into the last quarter Hamilton stepped up a gear and Tuoro found himself forced wide as he went on another attack, but he did manage to get the ball to Mason, who was just forced into touch at the corner flag.

A good steal at the lineout, however, saw ball supplied quickly to Mason and he burst through to score, with Ross Inglis tagging the points for a 23-22 lead.

The bonus try came shortly afterwards when Maxton secured lineout ball and the Hamilton forwards drove for the line.

With the line just inches away, Turnbull took over possession, spun and nipped over, taking the score to 28-22.