ALL THE LATEST RUGBY ACTION
Hamilton ............ 12 Aberdeen ............ 35
Tennent’s National League 1
Hamilton Rugby Club coach David Gemmell has demanded that his side become more accurate in attack if they are to climb the National League 1 table.
Despite Hamilton dominating territory and possession, Aberdeen Grammar emerged from Laigh Bent with the bonus point win, inflicting a fourth straight defeat that sent the Bulls down to 11th place.
The match was a pulsating, exciting affair with lots of good enterprising rugby, but again the Hamilton lads seemed to suffer from ‘white line fever’ and failed to capitalise on the excess of goodquality possession.
Indeed, Hamilton’s errors in attack gifted Aberdeen four of their six tries on the day.
The game started well for Hamilton, whose attack from the start was sharp and accurate, and within two minutes they were off and running with a try for winger Ben Plant, following some slick handling from forwards and backs, with Andrew Wilson converting.
However, Aberdeen hit back immediately when ball was coughed up in the tackle, with centre Tom Alpin running in and Bryn Perrott converting.
Hamilton spent the next 10 minutes pounding the Aberdeen defence but with no return, while Perrott kicked an easy penalty to put Grammar in the lead.
A similar pattern took place over the next 10-minute period, with a penalty allowing a long, cut out pass to Chris Jollands on the wing, and he raced in to extend Aberdeen’s lead.
Hamilton attacked again, but Alpin stripped the ball from them in the tackle and, with the defence already split, he had the easiest of tasks to stride over.
The Bulls threw everything into attack in an attempt to get back in the game, but that led to Wilson’s clearance kick being charged down and when the ball ricocheted into the arms of winger Nat Cole, he flopped over in the corner.
Scoring in the second half was less regular, as Hamilton showed their fitness by again launching wave after wave of attacks.
However, again it was Aberdeen who broke upfield and drew the penalty, which was gratefully accepted by Perrott.
Hamilton spent the next 20 minutes pounding the Aberdeen line, but stout defence, allied to Hamilton’s anxiety, kept them at bay.
Having soaked up all the pressure on their line, Aberdeen again stole possession and forced their way into Hamilton’s 22.
The heavy pack went through several phases of pick-and-go rugby, then released stand-off Sam Knudsen, who ghosted in under the posts.
Hamilton had the last say when they finally managed to find space on the outside channel to release Andrew Wilson to score in the corner, bringing the final score of 35-12.
There were few positives for Hamilton, but Ross Mcqueen was congratulated on his 50th cap, and Craig Inglis made his debut in the second row. Fixtures (Saturday, November 3): Tennent’s National League 1: Marr v Hamilton (2pm).
Tennent’s National League 2: GHK v Biggar (3pm).
Tennent’s West League 1: Dalziel v Stewartry (2pm).
Tennent’s West League 2: Uddingston v Millbrae (2pm).