Saturday, April 15th, 2023 – Accies v Falkirk title decider.
It was a day that will go down in the history of Accies Rugby. A day that will live long in the memory of both players and supporters, who can forever say, “I was there”.
The day started off for this reporter at 10AM when I arrived at the club to help prepare for what was to be the biggest pre-match lunch in the club’s history. A total of 96 people sat down for a superb meal, produced by our much-loved resident caterers, Posh Tarts. We were then highly entertained by three great speakers. Host, Robbie Duncan had the audience rolling with laughter and this was followed by a most interesting and entertaining chat on rugby between two ex-Lions, Jim Calder and John Beattie. A wonderful start to a special day.
And so, to the main event. Three teams, Newton Stewart, Falkirk and Accies, were all in contention for promotion to National 1, the second top tier of Scottish rugby. Newton Stewart had completed their season last Saturday with a 93–17 demolition of Boroughmuir and had come from behind in the points race, to now be the front-runners. It meant Accies had to get a bonus point win, and by a clear 38 points! A tough task in anyone’s book, especially as 2nd placed Falkirk only had to win the game to be crowned champions.
So, it was all to play for on a beautiful day and the New Anniesland pitch looking magnificent, all down to the skills of the inimitable, Robert Cheape. Coincidentally, I was talking to a supporter of Stirling County (a club we will be playing against next season) and he mentioned this was the best pitch he had seen in quite some time and that you could easily play internationals on it – quite the compliment!
Falkirk kicked off and with Accies playing away from the clubhouse, it was clear that we were in for a ferocious contest. Neither side took a step back and any hard-running was consistently stopped with equally committed tackling. Early on, Accies possession was being run from one side of the pitch to the other, stretching a strong Falkirk defence. Eventually, Accies enjoyed a spell inside the opposition’s 22 and were awarded a penalty close to the Falkirk line. Off the back of a strong scrum, Accies number 8, Declan Papadakis, picked up and was never going to be stopped as he crossed the line. Good conversion from Colin Taylor. 7–0
Falkirk are clearly a good side, big and robust and strong in defence, but they were struggling to make any real impact on Accies defence. They were however awarded a penalty by referee, Gordi Reid, and Falkirk’s ex-Super 6 stand off converted with ease. This was closely followed by another penalty and a repeat result. At this point, it was clear Falkirk were going to do everything they could to keep Accies points difference down.
Accies though had clearly come to play rugby, moving the ball around the pitch with flair, accuracy and speed. Accies worked themselves back into Falkirk’s 22 and after a couple of movements left to right and back, the ball was transferred to the ever present (as he has been all season), Ross Cowan, who scampered over in the corner. Conversion missed. 12–6
Could Accies keep up this intense and fast pace or would Falkirk find a way of slowing the home side down? Well, another penalty reduced the margin to 3 points and it was anyone’s game. Accies response as it was throughout this enthralling encounter, was to attack. The kick off was moved right across the pitch, from the right hand touchline all the way to the left and the ball ended up in the hands of Jack McCready. He beat his opposite number and accelerated as if he had been shot out of a gun, side-stepping two covering defenders and racing under the posts. Another beautiful try and a simple conversion. 19–6
Falkirk’s very talented stand off who had clearly put on his kicking boots, converted another two penalties to yet again pull Accies back to within 7 points and well behind their target points difference. 19-12
I’m sure most Accies supporters were beginning to feel that the task of winning was on, but that to get to a gap of 38 points could be out of reach, Newton Stewart supporters may well have been putting the champagne on ice at this point.
As the half-time whistle blew, Accies were still 31 points short of the required figure.
Half–time 19-12
As the second half got underway, Accies were straight into the attack with some really accurate passing between forwards and backs. Everyone tok their share of carrying hard and creating the necessary gaps. Great support work eventually put Ross over for the bonus point try. Conversion missed. 24-12
However, when Falkirk were awarded another penalty their stand off decided to go for the posts rather than the corner as he looked to try and reduce the points difference in any way possible. 24–15
Another great try in the right corner by Colin Taylor, and another by Ross brought Accies to 34–15, but still 19 points short of the required target. This Accies side is clearly a determined unit and were showing no signs of slowing down or dropping their skill levels, which had been superb all game. Try number 7 came courtesy of the forwards and brought the score to 41–15, the boys were now tantalisingly close to pulling off a remarkable result. The ice was melting on the Newton Stewart champagne and the Accies supporters were holding their breath.
Only 6 or 7 minutes remained and Accies needed 12 points to win the league – could they pull off what once seemed impossible?
They worked themselves into the Falkirk half and a penalty allowed Ross Cowan to kick the ball superbly to the 5-metre line, but the attack was thwarted by Falkirk and the ball was deemed to be held up. I think many in the large crowd felt the points difference chance had gone. The talented Falkirk number 10, however, made his first mistake of the day and his drop-out from under the posts drifted directly into touch, the result being a 5-metre scrum in front of the posts. Another chance for the forwards and a massive effort by the pack resulted in the scrum going back towards the Falkirk line, their scrum collapsing and a penalty try was awarded. 48 – 15
Accies were now achingly close to achieving what many had felt was almost certainly beyond them – only 5 points required and 2 minutes left. I don’t think we will ever see or feel an atmosphere like this at New Anniesland ever again.
Falkirk kicked-off and it went deep into Accies 22, the ball was collected by Jack McCready and he was off, side stepping the first man, then the second and third, he was now clear and crossing the halfway line. Three defenders, racing for their lives to cut him off, and two supporting players either side of him working hard to keep up. The whole of New Anniesland was holding its collective breath. Jack now had only two to beat, could he do it? The last defender got to him but Jack rode the tackle, stumbled, but stays on his feet! A 100 metre mazy run, after 80 minutes of pulsating rugby and Jack dives over the line. Accies had achieved the target and were 38 points clear of Falkirk! 53 – 15
Falkirk had still to kick off, and a clever drop out saw their player collect the ball before being tackled, an Accies player was swiftly onto the ball and it was a penalty to Accies for holding on! Tap and kick into the stand and let the party begin!
What a memorable, exciting and nerve-racking day. Congratulations to every single player in the Accies squad and to the fantastic coaching team of Ryan Grant, Ruaridh Jackson, Ryan Wilson and Duncan Weir.
This was a day that will go down in the annals of New Anniesland rugby. As was stated by the coaching team at the very start of the season, they wanted to develop a squad of players, from which two teams would be selected to play on Saturdays. Every squad member is part of this success, and this was demonstrated by the numbers at training this past week, with over 30 players involved. The 19 players who represented this squad and club on Saturday were superb and all credit goes to them and their coaches. They achieved what seemed impossible. A proud day for all connected to Accies.
53 – 15 CHAMPIONS!
Donald Reid – Club Secretary