Hamilton Rugby Club struggle as Whitecraigs are crowned Premier 3 champions

Apr 7 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON were unable to prevent Whitecraigs from clinching the Premier 3 title on Saturday, but still have a date with destiny of their own.

The Bulls need four points to secure a swift return to Premier 2, and will hope to take them from Saturday’s derby at struggling Dalziel.

Despite the windy conditions at Newton Mearns nobody would have been disappointed with the rugby served up.

David Sutherland got things underway for Hamilton and the Bulls surged forward, taking the lead through an Owen McLeish penalty after Stevie Turnbull was illegally halted as he made his way towards the line.

Hamilton continued to press and used the boot with accuracy to play the game in the Whitecraigs half, forcing the hosts to defend desperately, but McLeish was off-target with a second penalty award on the 10-minute mark.

However the visiting support were on their feet again shortly afterwards when Ross Inglis pounced on a loose pass to run in and touch down in the corner for 8-0.

Whitecraigs came right back into the game and Stuart Pollock broke only to be stopped by Turnbull, who turned over possession for the Bulls.

But McLeish’s attempted clearance was charged down by Nicky Blamire who crashed over, with Ryan Moffat converting for 8-7.

The momentum was with Whitecraigs and Jamie Christine looked to have made a solid break for the Glaswegians, only to be hauled back by referee Colin Brett, and McLeish eased the pressure by kicking to touch.

Captain Richie Maxton took the lineout and Hamilton drove forward, but as Whitecraigs countered the ball was spilled.

The game raged from end to end but ’Craigs were reduced to 14 when Jamie Howarth was yellow carded for a high tackle on Craig Inglis.

With a man advantage Hamilton upped the pressure and from a scrum John Selfridge picked up, took on his opposite number and fed Ash Mason, who was stopped just short of the line.

Hamilton were awarded a penalty, which McLeish slotted for 11-7 as the referee brought the half to a close.

Whitecraigs came out of the traps early in the second half and after a solid five-minute period the hosts put a penalty deep into touch and Pollock rose to secure possession.

The forwards drove for the line and Hamilton had little answer as Christine crashed over for a try, putting the hosts 12-11 ahead.

Whitecraigs scored a near copy of that try when Hamish Hunter took lineout ball and the forwards drove forward with Howarth credited with the final touch, before Moffat converted a penalty to stretch their lead to 20-11.

Sensing that the ultimate prize was within their grasp Whitecraigs surged forward, Pollock again supplied excellent ball from the lineout and Blamire went over for a try, which Moffat converted.

Despite the 27-11 deficit Hamilton stuck to their task and sub David Gemmell, on for injured Fraser Watt, burst through before supplying Mason with the ball to take play deep into Whitecraigs territory.

A quickly taken Selfridge free-kick saw him make further ground before Maxton and Sutherland surged towards the line.

Another quick Mason penalty caught the home defence napping and he broke away again before supplying Craig Inglis who went over for a try, reducing the gap to 27-16.

Hamilton went on the attack again, hoping to secure at least a losing bonus point for their efforts, but Whitecraigs held out stoutly before attacking Hamilton, who were similarly strong in defence.

Following a bruising period of play the hosts stretched their lead with a Moffat penalty for 30-16, moving into the final minutes of the game.

Whitecraigs could have stretched their lead when Pollock picked up a loose ball and was about to crash over, only to spill possession.

Premier 3 council member and Hamilton sponsorship convenor Ian Smith to present the Premier 3 trophy to the Southsiders, who go up to Premier 2 for the first time in their history, and with three games left.