Scottish Hydro Electric Cup - 1st Round
Stirling County 9 – Glasgow Hawks 0
County entertained Premier One side Glasgow Hawks in the first round of the re-vamped national cup competition. While County top Division Two, Hawks are going well in fifth place in Premier One, so this match was a good test of County’s ambitions.
County made one change from the side that beat Jedforest in their last outing, with Robbie McGowan coming in at full-back for Fraser Lyle.
County got off to the best possible start with Hawks penalised for offside after County gathered the ball from their own kick-off. Brian Archibald scored from the resultant penalty. Straight from the re-start, Hawks were awarded a penalty for a similar infringement by County, but the visitors missed the kick.
County attacked Hawks on both flanks, and following a move across the backs, a kick and chase just eluded pacy winger Ross Aitken. County continued to press and a fast break involving Robbie McGowan, Danny Gilmour and Aitken took the play into the Hawks 22, with Hawks forwards going off their feet at the breakdown. Archibald scored the penalty to give County a 6 - 0 lead after 20 minutes.
Hawks came more into the match, and following a spell of concerted pressure, their No.8 Wilson found himself with space in the County 22, only to knock-on in the tackle, with the ball cleared by Stuart Edwards. The remainder of the half was fairly even with the breakdown in midfield being fiercely contested by both sides, but both defences were on top on a heavy pitch, and there was no further scoring before the break.
Hawks rang the changes at half-time and started the second 40 in determined fashion, pinning County back for long spells. The home-side stuck to the game plan, with immense effort from the County forwards ensuring Hawks made little ground, with any attacking platform was restricted. Entering the final quarter, County began to assert their dominance, and following a series of attacks, Hawks were penalised for killing the ball. Archibald scored his third and decisive penalty on 70 minutes, to give County a 9 -0 lead.
With time running out, Hawks upped the pace, and mounted an onslaught in the County 22, but tremendous defence by the home forwards on their own line, prevented Hawks scoring, and a crucial turnover allowed Edwards to relieve the pressure with a fine clearance kick to half-way.
County’s new electronic scoreboard shone brightly on a grey afternoon, recording a well-deserved 9 - 0 win for the home-side and a place in the last 16.
The coaches were delighted with the effort and teamwork shown by County against tough opposition and will be looking to take this forward in the resuming league campaign.
Final score: Stirling County 9 Glasgow Hawks 0.
Scorers: County – Pens.: Archibald (3).
Stirling County: McGowan, Addison, Gilmour, Archibald, Aitken, Edwards, McRorie, Hunter, Moffat, Mountford, MacFarlane, Deacons, Eadie, Berstani, Clarke. Replacements: Black, Graham, McLaren, D Lyle.
Glasgow Hawks: Robinson, Hair, Noble, Harkness, Boyer, C Gossman, White, Strain, McLay, Cox, Kirkland, Whittleston, Hamilton, Wilson, Kerr. Replacements: Milligan, Stafford, McKay, Morrison.
Referee: G Gordon.
County are back to league business on Saturday, with a re-arranged match against Aberdeen Grammar at Rubislaw, kick-off 3pm.
Thanks to County’s main sponsor Ondeo Industrial Solutions and all others who continue to support the Club.
Rugby Round-up:
Stirling County’s 2nd XV continued on their 100% winning ways with a 42 - 11 victory away to Ayr (Half Time Ayr 6 County 31), to remain at the top of National Reserve League Division 1.
Scorers :
Graham Lindsay 3 tries
Gregor Brodie 2 Tries
Sean Kennedy 1 Try
Jonnie Hope 3 Conversions and two Penalties.
Next up for the 2nds is Hillhead Jordanhill at home on Saturday – kick-off at Bridgehaugh is 3pm.
The 3rd XV are also at home to Dundee on Saturday in the Caledonian Reserve League – Midland Division.
Report by Kevin Robertson
