For the record..
Rampant Bulls run in amazing 21 tries
Hamilton ........... 133 Aberdeenshire ...... 0
BT National League 2
Hamilton racked up a record 133-0 scoreline against hapless Aberdeenshire at Laigh Bent on Saturday.
The Bulls remained in third place, but now have the best points difference in BT National League 2.
Their opponents now have the worst points difference, and already stare relegation in the face.
The match was characterised by Hamilton’s slick handling by their backs and forwards, in a display of pace and power that simply blew their visitors away.
Despite Hamilton’s superiority in the pack and the backs, the first quarter gave little sign that the score would be as it finished.
Stand-off Owen Mcleish broke through early on for Hamilton’s first try, which he converted.
However, the second try didn’t come until the 17th minute, when winger James Howatson dotted down the first of his four tries.
During that 15-minute period Aberdeenshire frustrated Hamilton, and although most of the play was in the visitors’ 22, the Bulls seemed to over-complicate their attack, leading to frequent breakdowns.
It was a return to simple, direct rugby that saw a ball off the top of a lineout fed to Howatson, and he went in under the posts.
Hamilton went on to score 21 tries in total – four from Howatson and Adam Ryan, three from Ross Inglis, two each to Gregor Brodie, Scott Whitelaw and Gareth Jones, and singles from Mcleish, David Mcgrath, Liam Bell and Ross Jamieson.
Mcleish landed four conversions, Inglis slotted four.
Despite the scoreline Aberdeenshire kept at it, and it is significant that 12 of Hamilton’s tries came from them turning over possession on their own line and breaking downfield.
Typical of these was Bell’s try, set up by superb defence, and a break by rampaging man of the match Josh White at number 8 set up the score, his one-handed offload to Bell coming from good work by Inglis in support.
It was the speed of handling and offloading in the tackle which characterised the play of the Hamilton lads. As their confidence grew, the skill level seemed to rise.
Coach David Gemmell said: “I have challenged the players to maintain the standard to play National 1 level and on Saturday after the first 10-15 minutes they performed really well.
“I was delighted with the way they set about their task. They were hungry to ensure that Aberdeenshire didn’t take anything at all from the game and that was good to see.
“After the defeat against Biggar I looked for a response and they’ve been a little better every week.
“The challenge for us is to play at our level, no matter who we’re up against, and that will be tested against Dumfries Saints on Saturday.”