The tables were set, the whisky was on the tables and the supporters were taking their places. Our special quests had arrived so the lunch could commence, just as well as we had a bear to feed.
A superb meal was served, fit for our King, and a great nod to our late Queen, which I believe everyone enjoyed. Our coach Ryan Grant joined the lunch to let the assembled group hear what he felt about where Accies are today. He let us all know that he and his other coaches believe that a strong 2nd XV is the answer to a strong club and as such the coaching team have been working with the skill levels of all the players whether they are 2nd XV or 1st XV players, and so today we have 3 debutants from the 2nd XV playing. This club has one squad of players and any one of them can play in the 1st XV on any given Saturday.
It was followed by an extremely entertaining question and answer session between our very own John Beattie and his old Scottish teammate Iain (the Bear) Milne. We all learned some touring secrets and some home truths about how important club rugby is to our great game. A special lunch that I will personally never forget. We are so fortunate that great players like Iain are prepared to give up their time to support clubs like ourselves and that people like Stevie Douglas the President of one of Scotland’s foremost clubs is also prepared to travel to Glasgow when his main team are playing in Edinburgh – that is what rugby is really about. So, lunch is over, the raffle has been won, the pipe band is playing, the sun was shining and the ground was looking magnificent. The stage was set so let’s get on with the rugby.
I had watched the Boroughmuir players warming up and commented to our Chair that they looked a very well organised side, with big forwards, quick backs and no shortage of skills.
Well, the first 10 minutes proved me right. Boroughmuir took possession from the kick off and held onto it for what seemed like a long period. Their forwards were recycling to ball well at breakdown and their backs, in particular their 10, 12 and 13 looked very threatening. However, Accies defence was holding fast and they appeared to have control of the Boroughmuir attacks. Eventually the flow stopped and a scrum was called, this was without doubt when the game turned. Boroughmuir put in and Accies 8 drove them backwards, penalty, and it was clear from that point on that the Accies 8 had total control throughout the game.
This clearly ignited the Accies players and after a period on concerted pressure inside the Boroughmuir 22 a mistake by an unfortunate Boroughmuir back allowed Oli Nash to pick up the ball and score the first try. Too far wide and a missed conversion. 5 – 0
Accies had been fortunate, but had been in a position to capitalise on their opponent’s mistake. If that try had been lucky the next one most certainly was not. A half break by the number 8 Matt Holland released the ever-threatening Scott Simmons to score under the posts. A clearly well practiced move off the training pitch. Easy for Fin. 12 – 0
Accies were now dominating the forward encounters. They were pushing their opposition 8 on every scrum, disrupting their lineout and with ball in hand they were carrying with commitment and making ground. The backs were working well off this excellent ball and it wasn’t long before try number 3 arrived. Strong scrum and quick and accurate transfer of the ball saw try number 3 which Fin Neilson easily converted. 19 – 0
Boroughmuir have a long and very proud history of rugby at the highest level and it was not surprising that they came back into the game. Their backs are a potent force and off any quick ball they were transferring it wide to their quick centres who were most certainly asking questions of our defence and on two or three occasions it looked as if their wingers had been put clear but Accies defence stood strong. If I was being honest Accies had come off the boil in the last 10 minutes of the first half and if it had not been for some stout defence by the back 3 we could well have lost two tries.
So, with Boroughmuir having shown their skills and Accies having capitalised on their chances the first half came to an end.
Half-time 19 – 0
The second half got underway and Accies went on the attack. They had introduced Harry Briggs and a superb take from the kick off had set up our first attack. The ball was moved just over our 10-metre line and a superbly timed pass by Matt Holland off a half break saw Sean Alton, one of 3 players who had moved up from the 2’s, race clear and like a deer being chased by a greyhound he reached 2 metres short of the try line but a supporting Accies players was on hand to cross the whitewash for Accies bonus point try. This time the conversion was good. 26 – 0
Boroughmuir are a good team and they had a period where they camped themselves inside Accies half. It has to be said that Accies were not helping themselves by giving away penalties and therefore giving their opponents the chances to get into the Accies 22. It was after two quick penalties and a forward drive that the Boroughmuir scrum half saw the chance and moved quickly to the blind side and fed and unopposed player to fall over in the corner for a try. Too wide out for a conversion. 26 – 5
Accies clearly had a good chat behind the posts as they came out firing. It must have been interesting for Iain Milne, sitting in the stand to watch one of the best front row performances I have witnessed at New Anniesland for many seasons. The Boroughmuir front row and second row were physically bigger than Accies, but were totally out scrummed by their opponents today. Accies 8 demonstrated today what can be achieved by good coaching and listening to good coaching. I have watched the forwards being put through their training sessions on the scrummaging machines and today proved that it works. We and the players know how lucky we are to have Ryan Grant at our helm. However, it has also got be said that the skill levels being demonstrated by the backs is equally impressive and therefore great credit to Ruaridh Jackson who clearly has managed to teach these players how to pass under pressure and how to put pressure on the opposition by accurate timing. We are extremely lucky to have the commitment of these two outstanding coaches and rugby enthusiast within our club.
But back to the game. Accies were now dominating almost every area and moment of the game. The forwards led by Kane Greggain, Max Hutcheon and Matt Holland, were carrying the ball at speed and with attitude into the opposition defence, they were tying up defenders and it was only a question of time before the next try would come. It was from a really positive period of driving forward rugby and quick passing that saw debutant winger Joe Higginbottom scamper over on the stand side for a lovely try. It was wide out and Fin pulled it just to the left. 31 – 5
Accies were now running rampant and their fitness was becoming evident. Another dominant scrum produced the penalty that took us into their opponents 22 and after some movement (of ball) from one side to the other a ruck was formed to the left of the posts and a beautifully executed inside- outside – inside move saw Fin Neilson touch down unopposed under the post. An SRU representative turned to me and said, “have these boys been watching the Warriors?” 7 points for Fin. 38 – 5
Accies were now totally dominating this game and were now in total control. Accies were showing the advantage of what Ryan had said at the lunch about 2nd XV players. Throughout the game one of our debutant 2nd XV players our outside centre, who had come in for the injured Gregor Macewan (running touch by the way) had a fantastic game. His first try came from some terrific forward carrying and he was on hand to score a great try. Then our debutant centre Masa Al-Bedri demonstrated why Accies is in such a positive vein of rugby, when he was on hand to finish off a good move and scored another try. He was clearly totally comfortable at this level of rugby. Pressure for places always lifts the level of all players. Conversion successful good. 45 – 5
The comments around me in the new stand were could we get to 50 and I felt that we only had a few minutes left but Accies, however Accies managed to squeeze another 14 points out of those minutes. Unfortunately, Boroughmuir were suffering from a series of injuries and this had clearly caused them serious defensive problems so I will only record that the final score represented a good win for Accies and disappointment for a courageous Boroughmuir side.
Full – time 59 – 5
I was asked before kick off by a number of – might I say traditional – Accies supporters, who the various new names on the programme were – are they good players? – are they good enough? – I haven’t seen that name before? – my response was wait and see.
At the end of the game, I am sure that all our fervent Accies supporters will be delighted to have watched an Accies side that is playing rugby of a quality that will make us all believe that the great days of Glasgow Accies rugby will return.
However, having talked to the coaches I know that next week is the most important challenged and we must take one week at a time – seriously!
We have a tough two games coming up and another great lunch. Saturday 8th October sees the arrival of another surprise quest speaker for our lunch. Just ask your friends who were there today. The book is open for the lunch.
I have said how important our 2nd XV is to this club – they are the core!
Today they took on Cartha QP, a proud club who had a difficult season last year and have suffered from the effect of Hawks raids on player numbers but today their 2nd XV took on a side that show no mercy and our 2’s came out 63 – 26 winners. So, after 3 Saturdays our teams are unbeaten – long may that continue, but as I have said there are some very tough matches to come and we will be taking each Saturday as it comes.
Next week the 1stXV is away at Falkirk, always a tough place to go and the 2nd XV are taking on Hamilton at New Anniesland, again not an easy fixture.
Donald Reid – Club Secretary