Bulls can’t hold out in face of powerful GHA
Hamilton ............ 47 GHA .................... 50
Tennent’s National League 1
Injury-ravaged Hamilton were close to their first win in six games against GHA, only to be denied by a controversial refereeing decision.
With Hamilton leading, lock Jack Bruce was sin-binned with five minutes remaining of an pulsating contest and the Bulls were unable to hold out against GHA’S massive forward power.
That was hard to take for coach David Gemmell, who said: “The boys played well throughout.
“We looked after the ball, and scored some great tries, but their dominant scrum cost us dear.
“Our injury count didn’t help, but the lads who came in fronted up well and went toe to toe with a very good GHA side.”
Consolation to Hamilton is that the four-try and losing bonus points took them off the foot of the table.
The scoring started in five minutes when Hamilton failed to clear their lines from kick-off, GHA opted to scrum a penalty in midfield, and a clever switch of play behind the scrum gave centre Charlie Lonergan a clear run in under the posts.
After Owen Mcleish pushed play deep into the GHA corner, Josh White crashed over from the resulting lineout maul to level.
GHA reclaimed the lead with a soft try when full-back Grant Mollison entered the back line and went through two tackles to score out wide.
Both sides were reduced to 14 in 20 minutes; GHA were awarded a penalty and moved ball quickly through hands from one side to the other, before Jamie Mccarthy went over for the try.
The penalty count against Hamilton continued to rise and put them under real pressure, but their backs broke from their own 22 to take play deep into GHA territory.
A quick penalty and fast hands saw ball shipped to the wing, where Ben Plant forced his way over, with Mcleish converting from the touchline.
GHA picked up their bonus point try in 35 minutes when their scrum put Hamilton under pressure, leaving a gap for scrum-half Murray Houston to dart over, and then convert.
Hamilton continued to attack and patience paid off when Plant was released to score his second try of the afternoon, with Mcleish again converting.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Glen King offloading for GHA to stretch their lead.
Hamilton responded quickly, with James Howatson sending Gregor Brodie clear under the posts for the try bonus point.
Five minutes later Hamilton’s Euan Whelan darted in out wide to level at 33-33.
GHA came at them again but the Bulls defence restricted them to a penalty goal from George Baird, but that lead was short-lived.
Robert Brown climbed off the bench to break the defensive line and score under the posts, but suffered a serious shoulder injury in the process, adding to an already extensive injury list.
Prop Darren Carr then barrelled over under the posts to take Hamilton into a 47-36 lead.
With six minutes left Mccarthy forced his way over for a converted try.
And with Bruce sin-binned, Ben Addison scored what proved to be the winner with a converted try two minutes from time.
Hamilton closed the match camped on GHA’S line, but the clock ultimately beat them in the end.