Last-gasp win for Hamilton
Hamilton Rugby Club took a step closer to safety in Tennent’s National League 1, with a good 27-25 win at home to Musselburgh.
That result moves the Bulls up to ninth, ahead of a trip to basement side Kirkcaldy this weekend.
The first half of this game at Laigh Bent saw the sides cancel each other out, but exploded into life in the second half. Five yellow cards were issued as it threatened to spiral out of control, and Hamilton bagged a last-minute winner, to exact revenge for a defeat earlier in the season.
It was the visitors who got on the scoreboard first, when Danny Owenson was gifted an easy penalty shot after Hamilton’s 22 drop-out went straight out, giving Musselburgh a scrum in midfield.
Musselburgh are renowned for their forwards’ strength, and they were able to produce a repeat performance in 12 minutes to extend their lead.
The game then became bogged down in midfield for about 20 minutes as both defences dominated, but minutes before half-time Hamilton captain Mark Wallace suffered a severe facial injury after a heavy collision.
Musselburgh’s Ruaridh Young showed real sportsmanship in alerting the referee, when his side were in a good attacking position.
It was then perhaps fitting that Young broke Hamilton’s restructured defence to score in the corner.
However, Hamilton went straight back on the offensive and the backs showed the kind of handling for which they are known, as ball was moved towards the left wing.
David Milne showed slight of hand to move the ball out of the tackle to Ross Inglis, who crossed the line for their first try, reducing the deficit at halftime to 13-7.
The second half was much more positive for Hamilton. Within minutes of the restart, Owen Mcleish kicked a long-range penalty, reducing Musselburgh’s lead to three points.
Hamilton then took the lead in 55 minutes ,with a well-taken try by sub Hugo Crush.
Milne showed great strength to break out of his own 22, Crush saw the gap on the blind-side and ran in from 22 metres, with Mcleish converting for 17-13.
Three minutes later Milne scored, having picked up the ball in his own half to break the first tackle.
He found himself in acres of space and showed a turn in pace to make it to the line for an easy conversion, and a 24-13 lead.
Tempers frayed at this point and after a brief scuffle the referee awarded a scrum to ’Burgh on advice of the AR, much to the bemusement of Hamilton’s players and supporters.
This was upgraded to a penalty for dissent, Burgh moved the ball forward quickly and in the ensuing melee, Scott White was yellow carded.
At the next phase, Musselburgh’s Conor Slaven received his marching orders for an infringement at the breakdown.
Although the floodlights broke down temporarily, play raged on and as Burgh attacked, Hamilton’s desperate defence saw yellow cards issued to Taz Mclaughlin and Crush.
With Hamilton down to 12 and Burgh down to 14, the visitors took advantage and scored two quick tries to turn the game on its head, and a brilliant touchline conversion by Owenson put them into a one-point lead.
Time was running out, and Hamilton threw everything at their visitors, but when Ross Inglis had a clear break he was stopped a metre short by a lastditch tap tackle.
Musselburgh threw men into the ruck to seal the ball off, Graeme Bowman was yellow carded, and Mcleish had the composure under pressure to kick the penalty and win the match.
Coach David Gemmell said: “Some of the senior players really showed up to manage that period as well as we did and to set the platform for that final kick.
“I’m delighted and relieved!”