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October 1, 2018
Currie Chieftains 71 pts(t 11, c 8) v Glasgow Hawks 28 pts(t 4, c 4)
Blink, and you would have missed some of the action in this rip-roaring, free-scoring, highly entertaining match. Within a minute of kick-off, when Hawks cruised to the Currie goal line, until Joe Reynolds whizzed in for the Chieftains eleventh try in the final minute of the match, it was fizzy, exhilarating stuff.
For the first forty minutes there was little between the teams, as each cashed in on minor misfortunes, or played dazzling rugby of the ‘wow’ factor type. It was only when the visitors had their Captain and tight-head prop sent to the sinbin, following a series of scrum infringements near their line, that the Chieftains took complete control and ran in three tries; an episode from which Hawks never recovered.
In the cold blustery conditions, accuracy proved a constant problem and it contributed to Hawks opening try. From the kick-off, the ball sailed over the waiting Currie forwards and bounced in the path of the chasing Hawks pack. At lightning speed Lelia Masaga was in at the corner and Liam Brims had converted. Within minutes the Chieftains were battling their way into the wind and towards Hawks’ territory; finding a bit of space in front of the stand, Steven Hamilton steamed 50 metres down the touchline and dived in at the flag for an unconverted try. Before fifteen minutes were on the clock, the outstanding Thomas Gordon had crashed through two tacklers and made ground to the 22 where Ben Robbins took a fine off-load to score under the posts; Gregor Hunter converted.
The spritely Hawks backs were also prepared to throw the ball around, and in quick succession carved the Chieftains defence apart with two brilliant tries through the impressive James Couper and full back Robert Beattie; both were converted by Liam Brims which gave Hawks a two-score lead after 30 minutes. From this point forward, the visitors’ game started to fall apart. The Chieftains appeared to be gaining the upper hand at scrum-time and opted for a series of penalty scrums; eventually Gary Strain was sent to the sinbin and Currie took full advantage. Steven Hamilton, Michael Vernel and Reece Patterson went close, but it was the acceleration of Jamie Forbes for the corner, quickly followed by the devastating speed of Joe Reynolds, that gave the Chieftains two tries and a slender halftime lead.
Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 24 pts, Glasgow Hawks 21 pts.
As soon as the second half got underway, Currie added another try. Play-maker, Gregor Hunter looped for a return pass to create space, and the excellent Jamie Forbes made the most of it; Gregor Hunter converted. Restored to fifteen players, but now facing the wind, Hawks remained competitive although they were increasingly on the back foot and had lost some of their earlier cutting edge. Jamie Forbes combined with Matthew Hooks who shot down the left wing and went close to scoring. With the Chieftains going through the phases, Hawks did their utmost to keep them out; following a sustained period of champagne rugby from the Currie backs, the Hawks’ defence finally cracked. Gregor Hunter converted his own well-taken try.
Some more sizzling play had Hawks on the rack. The Currie forwards, particularly Graeme Carson and his front row colleagues made the vital link as the ball passed between forwards and backs. Campbell Wilson squeezed in at the corner to finish another patient build-up; Gregor Hunter splendidly converted from wide out. The visitors were not completely out of it as they continued to produce some adventurous but rather risky rugby, in their effort to secure a bonus point. It finally came in a planned move between scrumhalf and wing; the speedy James Couper chased a neat chip kick from Paddy Boyer, the 40-metre run, and touchdown was converted by Liam Brims. They were obviously buoyed by the score and soon back in the Currie 22.
It was the hard-working Luke Crosbie who executed a tremendous turnover, and then some quick handling exposed the Hawks’ defence; Robbie Nelson sent Ben Robbins on his way down the right wing; the industrious centre was again on hand to take the return pass for a try that went from goal line to goal line. Gregor Hunter converted.
During the remaining minutes the Chieftains showed no mercy and ran in two more tries. Matt Hooks, back from his antipodean travels, was alert and full of running. He collected a loose ball just inside the opposition half and showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing defence. His try was converted by Gregor Hunter. The show was concluded in a similar fashion to the start. Charlie Shiel and Joe Reynolds worked the blind-side to perfection with the number 13 dashing through a confused defence for the final score that was not converted. The disappointment of the previous week had been erased in a most spectacular way. This was a tremendous all-round team effort, the drafted professionals - Greg Peterson, Tevita Tameilau and local hero, Luke Crosbie adding muscle to the pack, and Charlie Shiel spraying quick accurate passes to a lively, fast backline eager to score tries; Gregor Hunter and Jamie Forbes controlled the back-field as if they were Grand Masters playing chess. If we can play with the same commitment, style and passion at Goldenacre next weekend, it promises to be quite an occasion. I.J.S, 1.10.18.
Currie team v Hawks – 29.9.18.
Match Highlights - HERE
BT Premiership highlights - HERE
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