Hamilton Rugby Club trounced by Aberdeen GSFP.

Feb 17 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON were comprehensively defeated by Premier B side Aberdeen Grammar FP in Saturday’s Premier Cup match but can take heart from their performance against higher league opposition.

With Laigh Bent unplayable due to standing water on the pitches, the game was moved to the Palace Sports Grounds.

David Sutherland got the game underway and Hamilton attacked from the start, with Owen McLeish putting a penalty into touch.

Robert Cowie rose to collect David McGrath’s throw to secure possession and Chris McLaughlin applied pressure through the midfield before being halted by Fraser Lyle in the centre.

As both sides piled in to secure possession, referee Damian Timson awarded a penalty, which McLeish stroked through the uprights for an early 3-0 lead.

Aberdeen showed their threat when winger Apulu Alapati collected and ran at the defence, combining with Murray Douglas and Martyn Faville to take play close to the line, forcing a penalty which the visitors opted to take as a scrum.

Chris Allan picked up and despite being tackled by Stevie Turnbull managed to get the ball back to stand-off Rob Aloe, who slotted a drop-goal for 3-3.

Chris Stannage brought ball back from the restart and he was well supported by Richie Maxton and Turnbull as Hamilton looked to take the game to their visitors again.

However, a penalty award enabled Aberdeen to clear their lines and when Douglas took lineout ball, Lyle and Sam Ryan broke through the midfield, with the latter going over for a try. Aloe converted for 10-3.

Unforced errors were halting Hamilton’s attacking game and Aberdeen’s pressure eventually told when quick ball to the wing allowed Chris Scott to dart down the right before finding Steve Aitken.

As the defence closed in, he passed to Aloe, who crossed the line to stretch the visitors’ slead to 15-3.

An Aberdeen free-kick was quickly tapped and again Lyle and Ryan broke clear, only to be stopped just short.

This time the pack took the initiative and Douglas supplied Faville with the ball for a try under the posts. Aloe added the conversion for 22-3.

Undaunted by these setbacks, Cowie stole good lineout ball and McLaughlin made a good break.

Maxton took over to power through the midfield and some desperate tackling led to a penalty. A quick tap and Hamilton’s forwards powered towards the line only to be stopped inches short but ball was recycled to McLaughlin, who crashed over. McLeish’s conversion reduced the gap to 22-10.

With only a few minutes remaining in the first half, Craig Inglis was yellow-carded for a high tackle, Aberdeen used their numerical advantage and Niall Shannon bundled over for the try and 29-10.

The second half got underway with both sides making some good breaks only to be denied at the last gaps with some solid defending.

Hamilton’s forwards were making good ground and a big break by Stannage enabled Maxton to take the ball just short of the line before Aberdeen stole possession and kicked clear.

Aberdeen were coping with Hamilton’s attacks and Aloe burst through the midfield before off-loading to Aitken to burst through for a try, which Aloe converted for 36-10.

The visitors were well on top and when a pick-up by Douglas enabled Aberdeen to get ball out to Lyle he surged through for another score, with Aloe adding the points for 43-10.

With the game well won, Hamilton grabbed a consolation try.

McLeish put a penalty into the corner and Maxton secured possession for Hamilton before the forwards drove for the line.

They were stopped just short and Aberdeen cleared only to see Maxton bring it back again and supply Andy Macfie to crash over in the corner for 43-15.

Hamilton tried to add to their score and in keeping them at bay Harry Loomfield was yellow-carded.