The almost spring-like day was a welcome change from the freezing weather of last weekend, and the South Glasgow, Braidholm pitch looked ideal for fast open rugby. Would this return fixture reproduce the same exciting fare as the Malleny Park encounter in the autumn, when only three points separated the teams? Currie, till stinging from their last outing, a mauling at Hawick, would want to erase that memory; while GHA, who have shown a lot of promise this season, are fighting for their Premiership survival. With only a couple of league matches remaining, his could be a defining afternoon for both clubs.

And what a start the visitors made! Barely 50 seconds on the clock, GHA failed to secure possession at the kick-off, and Cairn Ramsay latched on to the loose ball; his tanking run from 15 metres out was unstoppable. Gregor Hunter converted with ease, as he did with all his kicking duties throughout the afternoon. During the next 20 minutes, the Chieftains piled on the agony for a luckless GHA team whose mishandling was punished with two more power-house scores; a penalty try after a deliberate knock-on, for which GHA’s influential scrumhalf received a yellow card, and another try for Cairn Ramsay, following superb carries from Rhys Davies, Chris Anderson, and the driving force of Currie’s pack.

Despite their best endeavours, the home team could only glean a penalty goal after the Chieftains were caught off-side on one of the rare occasions when GHA got into the visitors’ 22. On 25 minutes things finally came right for GHA with some enterprising, attacking play that produced a magical solo try for their utility back, Luca Bardelli. The speedster, with wings on his feet, slalomed through a forest of Currie defenders for a converted try which brought Braidholm to life, and for the next 15 minutes honours were pretty even, although the GHA loose forwards appeared quicker to breakdowns and significantly slowed any Currie possession.

Both teams were creating opportunities, but simple handling errors confined play to midfield. Will Inglis and Ally McCallum were dominant at the lineout, which caused some hesitation and confusion amongst the opposition, as their backs tried to make space and exploit any gaps. When an ambitious GHA attacking move malfunctioned, the alert Adam Hall seized the dropped ball and careered 35 metres for the bonus point try to give the visitors an important points buffer for the second period.

Halftime score – GHA 10 pts, Currie Chieftains 28 pts.

The second half began at a stop-start pace as handling errors predominated, and both teams found it difficult to hang on to the ball. After 10 minutes GHA had edged their way to Currie’s 22, and a knock-on gave the home team scrum advantage. When they held on to passes, the Braidholm backs were sleek and elusive, and the scrum ball was expected to go wide; spotting an unguarded area, the nippy GHA scrumhalf dummied and went in under the posts unopposed. The score engendered renewed optimism in GHA ranks, and the Chieftains’ defence was now thoroughly tested. Solid tackling from Adam Hall, DJ Innes and Kody McGovern, plus impressive carries from Ryan Stewart, Rhys Davies and the Currie forwards kept their goal line intact.

It was good to see the return of DJ Innes and Charlie Brett back after recent injuries, and the latter's penetrating run, accompanied by a nifty chip-chase kick, led to Ewan Stewart’s try, but only after clinical approach work by the pack. There was still plenty of time for GHA to cut the deficit, and they certainly gave it a go, throwing caution to the wind with exciting open rugby that was rewarded with a third, but unconverted try from their lively scrumhalf. The game was played out with GHA on constant attack and were it not for a couple of crucial turnovers and stout Chieftains defence, it would have been a much closer finish.

G.H.A. 22 pts (t 3, c 2, p g 1) v Currie Chieftains 35 pts (t 5, c 5)

I.J.S. - 30.1.23.

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