March 25th, New Anniesland.
There are 3 clubs in the promotion race for the one place to gain promotion to National 1, Newton Stewart, Falkirk, and Accies, so today’s game was a must win game to keep Accies in the race.
Despite the horrendous downpours of the last few days, New Anniesland was looking in good condition and the rain was holding off. The kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes as Preston Lodge’s bus had been held up by heavy traffic going to the Scotland game at Hampden. So at 3.15PM the game finally got underway with Preston Lodge kicking off towards the clubhouse. It was very clear from the start that Preston Lodge were well up for this return fixture. In the earlier encounter at Prestonpans, Accies had been comfortably ahead before Preston Lodge fought back to end the game only 5 points short of beating Accies.
Early on, Accies were carrying the ball well into the first phase contact but their opponents were strong in their tackling and counter rucking. So, for the early encounters Accies were pinned between the halfway and their own 22. It took a superb charge from Declan Papadakis and off load to the supporting Ross Cowan to open up the opposition’s defence but once clear Ross sprinted clear to score the first try of the game out wide. Tough conversion which just slide by the posts. 5–0
From the kick off the forward exchanges were once again ferocious and when the ball was moved to the back the ever-involved Jack McCready, popped up and kick the ball into the opposition 22 where pressure from the supporting players resulted in a penalty to Accies. A couple of moves later and a driving maul was pulled down deliberately and as this had followed 3 consecutive penalties a Preston Lodge player was yellow carded. Accies chose the scrum and from 5 metres out they went for the push-over try which was duly completed by Declan Papadakis. Conversion successful from Colin Taylor. 12-0
The crowd were now looking for some expansive rugby and they were not to be disappointed. A move that was started from halfway and a dominant scrum, the ball was moved across the back line and from left to right. Jack McCready appeared off his left wing to scythe through the gap and then break back inside, followed by a superb offload to the supporting fullback Ross Cowan who scampered under the post for a try that would have been a highlight at any level of rugby. I could see the pride in the face of Duncan Weir, Accies backs coach on the touchline, at the efforts of his players. Conversion successful. 19-0
This was a game that Accies dominated territorially throughout but it has to be said that Preston Lodge’s commitment to their tackling and rucking was ferocious, and the final score could well have been considerably higher if that had not been maintained throughout the game.
Accies were dominating the set piece and from another strong scrum they released the backs who were running with accuracy and commitment. A superb series of accurate passes split the opposition defence and James Smith was on hand to finish it off. Bonus point secured and conversion over. 26 – 0
Some in the crowd were now thinking this was going to be easy but Preston Lodge were never going to lie down and give up. They have some strong running backs and for the first time in the game they started to get some useful ball and were looking dangerous, but sound defence from Accies stopped them but they had put themselves into Accies 22 and for the first time in the game were looking capable of scoring. However, the first half came to an end and both sides regrouped.
Half-time 26–0
Well as this reporter, expected Preston Lodge mounted what I was sure would be a vigorous and determined effort as the second half got underway. As they had done all game they were accurate and committed at the breakdown and the tackle area. Then from some very quick ball at the breakdown and accurate passing their very good backs prized a gap in the Accies defence and their left winger scored a well worked try in the corner. Conversion missed. 26–5
How would Accies respond? Had they gone off the boil as they did in the first game? Well it did not take long for the answer as both the forwards and backs swung into action, increasing the pace off and on the ball and started transferring the ball between backs and forwards at pace and with accuracy. This rattled the opposition and Accies were soon camped in the Preston Lodge 22 and were working hard to convert this pressure into points. Perhaps a little too impatiently, as they allowed the ball to go loose and a Preston Lodge player then tried to clear his lines only for the ball to bounce off another of their players into the path of Colin Taylor, on the wing, who hacked it 15 metres over the line and was first to the ball. Interesting, if a little fortunate, try but just reward for the previous passage of play. Colin could not convert his own try. 31–5
Preston Lodge were never going to go easily but they were getting somewhat frustrated and that was showing in their off the ball behaviour. Their aggression at the breakdown was spilling over and eventual the referee, Tom French, who incidentally had a very good game, felt it necessary to yellow card another Preston Lodge player for a shoulder only tackle. This resulted in a kick into the 22 by Ross Cowan and from the resulting lineout the ball was driven over in the hands of Declan Papadakis. Conversion fell short. 36–5
Accies were now clearly on top and when the game moved into the opposition 22 and Accies were looking to finish the game off, another Preston Lodge player decided to take his frustration out on one of Accies forwards, illegally and dangerously, with a spear tackle and Mr French had no alternative but to Red card him. The resultant penalty was put into touch and the driving maul was successful. Jack McCready who had taken over the kicking duties was also successful with the conversion. 43 – 5
There was just time for one more spectacular score and at it’s core was the ever present Jack McCready who broke clear from 45 metres out and side stepped and accelerated his way past several desperate defenders before drawing the last man and passing to the ever eager Ross Cowan to cross under the posts, another great backs try, created by solid work from the forwards. Jack converted his own try.
Full-time 50-5
This is the heaviest defeat that today’s opponents have suffered this season so a great credit to the commitment and rugby played today by this Accies team.
We are now in a real battle for the one promotion slot (as decided by the SRU) for this season, as we are moving to 10 team leagues next season. With one team promoted from National 2 and 4 teams relegated we are now in the position where with Newton Stewart on 82 points and a points difference of 319, but with only one game to play. Falkirk sitting second on 80 points and the same points difference (319) but having 2 games to play, and finally Accies in third place on 77 points but with a superior points difference of 342 and two games to play.
So assuming NS gain 5 points from their last game against resurgent Boroughmuir (who have just beaten Dumfries) and end up on 87 points, and Falkirk win on the 8th of April against Preston Lodge they will arrive at New Anniesland also on 87 points. Accies will need two 5-point wins against Berwick next weekend and against Falkirk on the 15th, to also end up on 87 points, but with Accies ahead on points difference. This also assumes we keep Falkirk away from either a try or losing bonus. Tough two weeks for Accies and the boys know it. The support from the touchline and around the ground will, without doubt, be crucial for both these games.
Donald Reid