A game, which had promised much by nature of  its “derby status”,  lacked edge throughout, and came alive only in the final quarter when visitors GHA woke up to the fact they required to raise their game to win.  “Hills” seven point margin of victory indicated a close contest, but the reality was the home team was more dynamic throughout, but failed to translate their frontal superiority into sufficient territorial domination to establish regular scoring platforms.

Despite both sides being anxious to move the ball at every opportunity, the game lacked shape in its early stages which saw “Hills” stronger in the scrummage,  yet conceding a tight head strike.  Neither side was able to build any continuity with defences being on top, but Taylor at stand off for GHA was able to kick well enough from hand against the prevailing wind to give the visitors some hopes of attacking field positions.  But as the first half wore on, it was the “Hills “ forwards with the ball in hand who became more prominent with both Joe Stafford and Nick McAulay aggressive in the contact areas.   Inevitably with their well nourished front five, the “Hills” found  some reasonable momentum to force GHA to concede a breakdown penalty after 25 minutes, which full back, Angus Twaddle, piloted over the bar with ease.  “Hills” then burst away again with the blue helmeted Douglas Crichton in the van and should have scored, but desperate GHA defence kept them out.  With help from Taylor’s boot, GHA came back immediately  into the “Hills” twenty two where hooker Malcolm profited from loose line out ball to force his way over the home line for a well taken individual score.   The next few minutes produced little by way of advantage to either side until Angus Twaddle eased “Hills” ahead with his second penalty goal.  The last few minutes of the half found the “Hills” benefiting from having  an extra man , GHA losing one to the “bin”, and after a series of close first and second phase attacks, no. 8, Donald Pitkethly, found some space on the blind side of a scrum to race over for the his side’s first score. Angus Twaddle adding the goal points.

Given that the home team had had the advantage of the wind in the first half, an eight point margin was hardly  insuperable, and within two minutes of the restart, GHA had narrowed that gap with a successful penalty from Houston.  Despite the “Hills” forwards continuing to have the upper hand in tight and loose play, the home team could make little of their relative superiority, even with scrum half David Armstrong being tireless in his efforts to initiate attacks and take the game to the visitors.  Indeed, it was GHA with Scott now at 10 for the injured Taylor who threatened, and it took a try saving tackle from left wing, Andrew Leslie, to keep the visitors out.   But their next try was not long delayed,  and it arrived simply from a midfield break which Gareth Jones took across the line.    The conversion was missed, and it soon became clear with the mistakes and lack of confidence in both sides’ play the next score would be decisive.  Even the normally reliable Twaddle was afflicted by nerves, as he missed an opportunity to take his side ahead with a penalty from 30 yards.  With the game entering the final ten minutes and both sides changing  their hookers, the home forwards took the game into the opposition’s twenty two, and from a scrummage some fifteen metres out, David Armstrong found enough space to put no. 8, Donald Pitkethly through for his second try.  Angus Twaddle’s kicking boots were re-shoed with his touchline conversion bisecting the posts, and “Hills” were now one score ahead.    Despite an attempt to rally, GHA could not find any quick ball to stretch the home defence and the “Hills” ran out winners in a game which lacked any sustained passages of quality play,  but was fairly contested by two sides who gave their all.

Home coach, Colin Dickson,  was delighted at the end: “ We made fewer mistakes this week, and are beginning to show signs of the dynamic patterns of play Grant and I want  the side to adopt.  Gala will be a difficult nut to crack, but we shall work hard this week in our preparation for Netherdale ”

Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC – Angus Twaddle, Lewis Mathieson  ,  Dan Witko, David Paterson (C)
,Andrew Leslie ( Archie Miller )  , Oliver Maddocks , David Armstrong ,David Simm (William Goulden )
Joe Stafford ( Fraser Paul ),  Nick McAuley ,  David Fisken ,  Duncan McCartney ( Christopher Tulloch )  Donald Pitkethly ,  Douglas Crichton , Stuart Rose .  Subs. All used