HILLHEAD/JORDANHILL 29pts  ABERDEEN GRAMMER RUGBY 33pts

In a game of high intensity and fluctuating fortunes, “Hills” just failed to beat their Aberdeen opponents in one of the most open and entertaining games seen at Hughenden for many’s a season.  The margin of the victory for Aberdeen, who were already secure in their top four spot, was hard to take for the gallant Hughenden side, particularly when the results of the other Premier 2 games became clear.  Nevertheless, the two points gained from this game put the “Hills” at 30 points in the table, level with both Jedforest and Falkirk, after the first round of eleven games.

For once, “Hills” started the game with some considerable pace. Their opening try came after only four minutes and was due to the field vision of stand-off Cameron McCulloch, who noticed considerable empty space behind his opposite number Aloe.  A quick chip kick ahead from the 10. was easily gathered and he ignited a wonderful interchange of passes with his centres, Dan Witko and Robbie Williamson.  After some  five further phases of play, Joe Stafford parted the ranks of the Aberdeen defence to score beneath the posts leaving full back, Angus Twaddle, with a straightforward conversion.  This stung the visitors into an intense period of pressure in the “Hills” danger areas,  but their defence was resolute with both winger Haddon McPherson and scrum half, David Armstrong, making crucial interceptions to keep the visitors out.  Inexorable pressure from the visitors, however,  eventually produced a try for centre Lyall which Lawson failed to goal. “Hills” resilience was tested, but , despite their frailty on the touchline which was to be their eventual downfall in the game, they competed fiercely in the set scrummage and at every breakdown.    It took, however, a speculative downfield kick from winger Andrew Leslie to produce “Hills” next score.  The covering Aberdeen defence failed to clear the ball and conceded a break down penalty.  Skipper for the day, Cameron “ Action Man” McCulloch, wrestled the ball free from the Aberdeen defender to take a quick tap which, after two phases of play, saw winger Haddon McPherson scuttle across the line to touch down.  Twaddle’s reliable right boot was equal to the task of converting the try to take his side 14pts to 5 ahead with only a few minutes to the end of the first half.  Grammar once again took play deep into the “Hills” half and after a series of driving  mauls tight head prop McConnachie scored.  Lawson obliged with the conversion, but immediately “Hills” tried to hit back, but the upright denied Twaddle’s extending his side’ lead.  The last minute of the first half allowed Lawson to take his side ahead with a well struck penalty.    The half time score of 15pts to 14 slightly flattered “Hills”,  but despite Aberdeen having the bulk of possession they were finding the home squad difficult to break down.

The scoring pattern in the second half reflected the wonderfully entertaining nature of the game.  Despite the ball carrying efforts and skills in open play of both props,  Nick “DJVeggie” McAuley and Joe “Bonecrusher” Stafford, “Hills” just could not find any openings with poor handling at times being their downfall.  The “Hills” eventual nemesis, Grammar stand-off, Aloe, showed how deceptively simple the game can be with a couple of shimmies  and feints to totally bamboozle the home defence for a wonderful solo try.  Inexplicably,  Lawson missed the easiest of conversions,  but his side were now 20pts to 14 ahead.  Not to be outdone in the solo try scoring stakes, Haddon “Sniffer” McPherson intercepted the ball during a dangerous Grammar attack to scamper fully 65 metres for a score between the posts which Twaddle converted to take his side in to the narrowest of leads 21pts to 20.  Grammar then came back, benefitting from some sloppy “Hills” work at the restart.  First phase scrummage ball was moved wide from the scrummage with Alapati running a beautiful line to score at the posts.  Aloe converted : Grammar now 27pts to 21 ahead.     Good midfield pressure at the breakdown from “Hills” created difficulties for Grammar and the penalty was conceded which Twaddle converted; 27pts to 24 for Grammar.  The visitors then tried to take the game away from “Hills” with strong determined running from their ball carriers, but the “Hills” defensive game remained intact.  Aloe took advantage of another penalty opportunity to take his side 30pts to 24 ahead.  The denouement was not quite yet  reached, however,  as full back Angus Twaddle, benefitting from the combined field craft of his half backs, McCulloch and Armstrong, raced into open side on the blind side of a scrum some 35 metres from the visitors line, kicked ahead, gathered and scored in the corner.  Grammar 30pts to 29 ahead with the reliable Twaddle to convert.  Unfortunately for once, the ginger top’s radar let him down and the kick failed.  With the home crowd roaring for more, the Grammar stand-off Aloe sealed his side’s victory with a sweetly struck penalty from 35 metres.  Grammar  just required to play out time, and they achieved that successfully to seal a five point victory for their efforts in a game which was  credit to the coaching staff of both clubs and all 38 players who participated.

A deflated “Hills” co-coach, Grant Sweenie, was quick to talk up his side: “ Yes, we were missing players but this was a tremendous effort.  All the boys are absolutely out on their feet, and could not have contributed any more.  Perhaps we shall go on a Cup run now that we have missed out on a  top four spot” 

Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC – Angus Twaddle , Haddon Macpherson  ,  Dan Witko , Robbie Williamson ( Archie Miller ) ,  Andrew Leslie ,  Cameron McCulloch ( C ) , David Armstrong , Will Goulden ( David Simm)  , Joe Stafford, Nick McAuley,  Christopher Tulloch ( David Fisken ) , Duncan McCartney ,   Donald Pitkethly , Christopher Craig ( Fraser Paul ) ,  Cameron Hogg   Subs All used