Hamilton set up real thriller with Biggar
Great win at Whitecraigs
Whitecraigs ............... 15 Hamilton ................... 41 Hamilton pulled themselves up a place to fifth in the BT National League 2 with a resounding win at Whitecraigs on Friday night.
The win puts them just a point behind fourth-placed Biggar, with a game in hand, and sets up a cracker against their derby rivals on Saturday.
Hamilton put in a performance that showcased their power and accuracy of attacking play and fierce tackling in defence, despite being without several regular starters – the SRU rescheduled the game for Friday despite several players having booked a trip to Wales to support Scotland.
Nonetheless, the team knitted together, showing the value of the 2nd XV playing in National Reserve League 1, where they are used to playing at such a high level.
It took Hamilton just nine minutes to register their first try, when the forwards played a sequence of accurate phases, punching deep into the Whitecraigs 22.
An accurate crossfield kick to the corner allowed Ross Inglis to collect and cross the whitewash, before converting his own try.
However, Whitecraigs quickly pulled the deficit back to two points as flanker Mackie crossed. Hamilton attacked however, and were rewarded in 18 minutes when Inglis slotted a penalty for a 10-5 lead.
Inglis was successful in tagging the next try after David Mcgrath released Ben Plant, who cut a beautiful line to elude the defence and run in from 50 metres.
On the stroke of half-time the same slick handling released Gregor Brodie, who dived over in the left corner for a 22-5 interval lead.
Hamilton started the second half with the same intensity and Inglis bagged his second of the night to put Hamilton on to 27-5, with the bonus point try.
Whitecraigs came into the game at this point, but Hamilton’s defence was ferocious and they worked their way back into the Whitecraigs 22.
The forwards’ pick-and-go game saw Josh White power over close to the sticks, with Inglis converting for 34-5 in 56 minutes.
Whitecraigs’s front row suffered key injuries, resulting in uncontested scrums.
Hamilton got another seven points on the board when James Howatson crashed over, with Inglis tagging the points for a 41-5 lead.
Hamilton’s intensity dropped in the last 10 minutes, and Whitecraigs were able to force over two unconverted tries.
The win helps Hamilton close in on the promotion race and the visit of Biggar on Saturday is now a crucial date.