BULLS FACE BATTLE TO BEAT THE DROP
Hamilton now face survival battle
National League 1 safety stretched further away from Hamilton on Saturday as they lost their ‘cup final’ at home to Musselburgh.
The Bulls have left themselves with a mountain to climb in their survival bid, and sit seven points behind Aberdeen Grammar, who have a game in hand.
Musselburgh, meanwhile, secured their place in the division with their win at Laigh Bent.
Hamilton’s nerves were evident as they dropped the ball straight from kick-off, and Musselburgh’s big pack imposed itself on their hosts from the start, within minutes muscling their way over for a pushover try by Number 8 Luke Hutson, with Daniel Owenson converting.
Hamilton’s kick-off was collected in midfield by the Musselburgh forwards as they made their way to the 22, and another series of powerful driving mauls resulted in a try for hooker Connor Slaven. Owenson again converted.
Although coach David Gemmell made early substitutions up front which provided the bulk to compete with the Musselburgh front five, they suffered from the same inaccuracy as has been the case all season.
A try-scoring pass was dropped under the posts and, within minutes, Hamilton conceded two penalties, allowing Musselburgh back into the attack; another driving maul let Graeme Bowman touch down. Although Owenson missed the conversion, Musselburgh led 19-0.
Hamilton came back into the game and hammered the Musselburgh line for the rest of the half, but their only reward was an Owen Mcleish penalty on the stroke of half-time, despite the visitors being down to 14 after the sib-binning of try-scorer Bowman for a cynical infringement on the line.
Both teams cancelled each other out for the first 10 minutes of the second period, until Hamilton’s Scott Alexander was yellow-carded for repeated infringements.
Musselburgh capitalised on the extra man immediately, using the extra space out wide to add a score by centre Andrew Cook, with Owenson again converting.
Things got worse for Hamilton when scrum-half Martin Kennedy was sin-binned for 22 minutes. With the referee awarding a penalty try, it looked to be all over at 33-3.
However, at that point the Bulls switched up a gear and showed some of the flight and flair for which they are known, and took the game to Musselburgh.
While still with only 14 on the pitch they broke from their own line and, after the ball had passed through the hands of the whole team, Ryan Butcher crashed through below the posts for a try, which was converted by Mcleish, reducing the deficit to 33-10.
Hutson then pounced on a loose ball and raced downfield towards the Hamilton line, but Andrew Wilson tracked back and his tackle prevented a certain try.
Hamilton had the last word when John Selfridge finished off another great handling move wide on the right, and despite a strong headwind, Mcleish slotted the extras for 33-17.
Time was against Hamilton, however, and despite their spirited fightback, they still came up short in a game they really had to win.