Glasgow Hawks vs Stew Mel, 5/9/09

• Click here to jump to Primmy's Points
• Click here to jump to Stew Mel Stats

Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Glasgow Hawks at Old Anniesland on Saturday, kick off 3 pm, is:

We've a few changes for Saturday's tough road trip to play Hawks.

With Harry Boisseau and Alec Jessop out due to injuries picked up on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively, the ever-versatile Stu Ker returns to the backline at 15. Borth moves to the wing, with Coxy replacing him in the centre.

In the pack, Ruairi and Ricky drop out due to injury, with Ruairi being replaced by Edinburgh prop Ryan Grant, our first pick in this year's pro draft. Ross Sutherland starts in the back row after impressing for the 2s last week, while Paul replaces Pip on the bench.

Big and Wee Clarky, Ben and Borth are the only survivors from our last game at Old Anniesland (and Steph's last game for the club) - let's hope for a rather more flattering scoreline this time around!

As the Scotland vs Macedonia game is taking place at Hampden on Saturday afternoon, we're leaving nice and early to make sure we get through to the West End in plenty of time.

So please pitch up to Inverleith at 11.15 am (for 11.30) if you'd like a lift through - and bear in mind that, with the 2s also playing Hawks, space is going to be limited on the bus.

Please do your best to make it through to the Weeg to cheer the boys on!

Ek

Primmy's Points

The first match on the road this season saw Stew Mel being sent home with a lot to think about as Glasgow Hawks demonstrated the standard of rugby required to compete in Premier One. Three tries in each half from a professional looking Hawks outfit secured an impressive 46-0 victory for the home side.

It was Stew Mel who had the more lively start, as they quickly turned over ball from the kick off and tested Hawks out wide in the opening exchanges. This early promise did not last for long, though, as Hawks made their way up the park to grab the first try against the run of play. Missed tackles on half way let Hawks gain good ground, falling just short of the Stew Mel line. A few further phases of play then sucked in the Stew Mel defence. Quick ball to the backs then presented the opportunity for a cross field kick, which was well executed as the Hawks winger took it on the full and dotted down.

An intense period of pressure on the Stew Mel line then ensued. Good defence enabled Stew Mel to survive the onslaught as Hawks pounded the visitors' line for several minutes. Big hits from Brewster and Phil gave the home side something to think about as they failed to take advantage of their territorial superiority. Hawks ultimately settled for a penalty kick as reward for their efforts.

It wasn't until the first card of the day was shown that Hawks scored their second try. Immediately after Ben was sent to the touchline, the Hawks No. 8 took a quick tap following a scrum infringement 5 meters out and barged over the line to stretch their lead to 12-0.

On the few occasions that Stew Mel managed to put two or more phases together, they looked dangerous. Sadly, this rarely happened during the 80 minutes. When it did during the first half, Coxy produced a strong run as he beat a few men and made good ground. Unfortunately, his efforts lead to nothing.

Another penalty for Hawks kept the score board ticking for the home side following some needless chat back to the ref. Then, on the stroke of half time, a brilliant solo effort from the Hawks full back produced the try of the day. The nippy 15 collected loose ball in his 22 metre area and then stepped three men to get into space. After making good ground past the half way line, he then put in a long kick deep into Stew Mel territory before hacking on and winning the foot race to score near the corner. The conversion sailed over and Stew Mel faced a 25-0 deficit at half time.

At the start of the second half, the game entered a quiet period in terms of scoring. Stew Mel attempted to get a grip on the game, but, as they tried to force things, a few mistakes crept in and they struggled to maintain possession. Hawks had chances but were unable to put any away. That was until moments after a second yellow was shown to the Stew Mel side. Shortly after Ross Sutherland was sent packing, Hawks again took advantage of the extra man. The Hawks centre seemed to breeze through a gaping hole in midfield to touch down under the posts.

Three minutes later, Hawks scored again, when they successfully executed a carbon copy of a move that had failed only moments earlier. A neat grubber kick in behind the rushing defence did the damage, allowing the home winger to run through, gather the ball and score a well polished try.

With Stew Mel still a man down, Hawks rubbed salt in our wounds when they scored another try from long range. A break through the midfield was, again, the chosen route of the Hawks attack, which was stopped inches short of the line. A pick and go from the resultant ruck then let the supporting second row dot down unopposed under the posts. The easy conversion left the final score 46-0.

The match didn't end there, though, as there was still time for arguably Stew Mel's standout performer on the day - Scott Brewster - to be given his marching orders with a straight red card for an alleged stamp. The sending off must have brought back memories for Scott's dad Alex, who was looking on from the stand - he was apparently one of the first Stew Mel players ever to be red carded, in a game against Stirling County in 1989 that was on the telly!

It was a demoralising loss against Hawks, but one that may be beneficial in the long run. The boys must take the result on the chin and learn from it. It is now time for the whole club to react to this and show the commitment that is required at this level.

If we do nothing, then it will be a very long season indeed. But I am confident that we can put this wake up call to good use and bounce back against Dundee High on Saturday - see you there!

Primmy

Rob is actually hoping to get a run out for the 2s on Saturday - in what would be his first game in 18 months - so we could do with someone else to write the match report on the 1st XV game for the website.

If you're interested, please let me know ASAP!

Bill

Stew Mel Stats

Return to 1st XV Fixtures page