A View from the Touchline – Premier League, 12.10.19.

Glasgow Hawks 14 pts (t 2, c 2) v Currie Chieftains 46 pts (t 6, c 5, p g 2)

Now established at their very nice Balgray home in the west of the City, the Hawks are endeavouring to rebuild the brand that has dominated the top echelons of club rugby for the past two decades. A mixture of dedicated experienced players, particularly in the pack, and young enthusiastic raw talent in the backs, is still a work in progress that requires a little more guidance, stability and some luck to generate the confidence that they need to bring success.

The visitors were not in a benevolent mood and knew that this match would be another crucial test in their young team’s development. On a soft damp pitch, they appeared to relish the challenge and sparkled in the autumn sunshine, never giving Hawks much time to operate effectively or gain ground. For long periods the Chieftains dominated both possession and territory with patient well-organised fifteen-man rugby, and several players stepped up to make a significant impact on proceedings.

From the kick-off, Hawks moved the ball to their big stand-off who ripped through the Currie defence and stormed 30 metres before the ball was whipped along the backs to the left wing; a stunning Steven Hamilton tackle saved an almost certain try. The Chieftains regrouped, and, led by some tremendous carries from Mike Vernel, Matias Argiro and Graeme Carson, the play went from one 22 to the other in a methodical controlled manner that frustrated the opposition and gave them little opportunity to regain possession. As Currie edged for the line, Hawks infringed, and Adam Hall took an easy 3 points.

With barely 10 minutes gone the visitors were starting to dominate and some delightful inter-passing down the left touchline looked very promising; Alex Harley went over in the corner, but a foot in touch pulled play back for a throw-in. The sturdy Hawks resistance was beginning to wobble, and they conceded another penalty which Adam Hall quickly popped over. As the game moved into the second quarter, it seemed only a matter of time before the battling home team’s defence would be breached. Wallace Nelson was everywhere, his burst for the line, that followed a pick-up at the back of a breakdown, had supporters on their feet. A couple of phases latter, and following some quick handling, Steven Hamilton raced in from 15 metres for the visitors’ first try, which he then converted.

On the half hour, Hawks began to string some moves together and put pressure on the Chieftains. After a lot of forward grunt and grind, and a degree of ball juggling, Garry Strain dived over; the try was converted by Carl Henderson, and Hawks now had a confident air about them, but the Currie response was quick and clinical. Playing at stand-off, Matt O’Neill was a revelation; his accurate distribution and occasional half-break gave his backs a chance to exploit the gaps that were starting to appear. Some glorious running rugby took the Chieftains deep into the Hawks’ 22, and a penalty lineout produced the required result; Mike Vernel secured the ball, the pack drove, and off the back of the drive, Gregor Christy went over for try number two, that was converted by Adam Hall.

As halftime approached, and following good carries by Mike Vernel and Wallace Nelson, play was once again propelled into the Hawks’ red zone; finally, Cairn Ramsay took a crash ball and careered 5 metres with tacklers snapping at his heels. The splendid score was converted by Adam Hall.

Halftime score – Glasgow Hawks 7 pts, Currie Chieftains 27 pts.

Cairn Ramsay soon stamped his mark on the second half as he punched through the Hawks’ defence and made a magnificent 20 metres, this laid a solid platform for the backs to exploit. Alex Harley, Steven Hamilton and Charlie Brett steamed down the right, but Hawks weathered the storm and cleared. Unfortunately for the home team, a bucket-load of unforced errors thwarted many of their ambitions

which the visitors then turned to their own advantage. A well-organised forward drive gobbled up the metres and it was Cairn Ramsay who charged over for his second try, and the bonus point for Currie. The score was not converted, but in a display of superb running that involved forwards and backs, the Chieftains were conjuring another scoring attack. The tireless Wallace Nelson picked up and barged forward knocking over would-be tacklers on his 20-metre romp to the line; Adam Hall converted.

The Chieftains’ assaults did not diminish, and Mattie O’Neill crowned his excellent afternoon’s work with a try that was founded on a team effort. Steven Hamilton converted the score, but in the closing minutes Hawks produced some faultless handling, and a touch of individual brilliance; Nathan Moffat’s angle of run opened the field, and he motored 40 metres for a fine converted solo try. It may have been a closer match if the home team had played like this a little earlier.

Ian Campbell - Many Currie players and supporters will be sad to hear of Ian Campbell’s passing. For many years Ian’s smiling face and jovial nature greeted match day supporters at the main gate. Ian Campbell was a willing volunteer, and without such helpers rugby clubs throughout the land would struggle to survive. Bob Gowans and Ian Campbell were a wonderful main-gate partnership; friendly, cheerful, honest and reliable, Ian will be fondly remembered by all at Malleny Park. I.J.S, 13.10.19.

Chieftains Team – 15 Charlie Brett, 14 Steven Hamilton, 13 Adam Hall, 12 Alex Harley, 10 Matt O’Neill

9 Gregor Christie, 8 Hamish Ferguson, 7 Wallace Nelson, 6 Jos O’Brien, 5 Matt Poole, 4 Mike Vernel.

3 Matias Argiro, 2 Fergus Scott, 1 Graeme Carson.

Bench – Grant Williamson, Cairn Ramsay, Sam Edwards, Tom Clark.

Match Ref. – Ms Holly Davidson

Photography (c) Glasgow Hawks