GHK v Marr
GHK v Marr Saturday 19 November - the very late match report!
In the extremely unlikely case that anyone out there is paying attention and perhaps even missing their weekly dose of match reports here, at long last, is the report on one of the highlights of the season so far, GHK's home win over Marr. Apologies that this has been subject to an embargo due to the text being impounded by the Leveson Inquiry!
GHK v Marr Saturday 19 November
On an excellent day for rugby, the two top teams in the division met in a match that both knew would be crucial in their respective quests for the West Division One title. The occasion lived up to its billing in what was to turn out to be a superb game, played at a great tempo with both teams competing fiercely but fairly, in front of two enthusiastic sets of supporters.
GHK started brightly and were rewarded with an early penalty only for Marr to immediately strike back to restore parity at 3-3.
Andy Fleming went close with a drop goal attempt as GHK kept up their attacks but strong defence from both teams kept scoring chances to a minimum. It was to be GHK’s aggressive defence that was to provide the first score of the day with a Marr clearance charged down by stand of Fleming and followed up by the ever present Mike Borthwick who, although stopped just short, was able to feed Gordi Reid who went over with the conversion added by Fleming.
Again it took Marr only a few moments to reply with a neat move in the backs resulting in a clean break under the posts for 10 -10.
Penalties were again exchanged to leave the match finely balanced at half time, with GHK having had the better of exchanges without being able to turn their superiority into points.
Although GHK were able to score two penalties in the first 10 minutes of the second half this was the period in which Marr had chances to put GHK under real pressure with 2 gilt edged opportunities being scorned due to a combination of over elaboration in the Marr back division and typically determined GHK defending with Marr emerging with only a penalty to bring them back to 19-16.
Having weathered the storm, GHK demonstrated their own attacking prowess with a good catch and drive from a line out creating the space for Andy Fleming to run an astute line to split the Marr defence for a great score.
The game was still being played at a cracking pace with both teams continuing to attack with ball in hand but it was GHK who were, by now, looking far the likelier to score and duly notched their third try following a trademark break by Tony Herron from full back with support coming from the back row with Mike Borthwick squeezing in at the corner.
GHK could now sense the opportunity to grab an unlikely 4 try bonus point but a little over anxiousness led to them squandering a good chance late on leaving the final score as GHK 29 Marr 16.
Nevertheless this should not detract from what was one of their best performances of the season against a strong Marr side.
This article was originally posted on 13-Dec-2011, 22:58 by Ronnie Gourley.
Last updated by Ronnie Gourley on 14-Dec-2011, 17:45.
Click here to return to the previous page
GHK Rugby is sponsored by...
