Battling Endrick go out at Accies

Dec 26 2008 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

GLASGOW ACCIES 36

STRATHENDRICK 10

ENDRICK'S cup run ended on Saturday at New Anniesland. Accies led for most of the match but in the end even their players were a bit surprised to have achieved a 26-point winning margin.

Endrick belied their lower status with a spirited display but they had to have the breaks going for them and on the day the 50-50s all seemed to favour the side which did not really need them.

The opening exchanges were in Accies territory but Endrick could not find a way through and eventually an offside decision – the first of many – gave Accies a penalty which took them well into Endrick's 22. The Fintry men held out desperately but in nine minutes Accies’ big number four Cauz Kawakameni powered in for the opening try. Scrum-half Richard McKnight added the extra points.

Endrick responded immediately, their pack making good headway down the right. They lost possession but Stuart Forsyth intercepted the attempted clearance and cut inside before linking with Bruce Duncan and Paul Ainsworth. The ball was moved crossfield into the safe hands of full-back Scott McCabe and he switched on the afterburners to cruise past the remaining defenders. Kyle Campbell kicked the conversion to level the scores.

Neither side made clear chances for a time but in 18 minutes Accies full-back Euan Shanks made a great run from deep. He was held up on the 22 but got his pass away to big Cauz and the lock brushed away the opposition on his way in for his second try of the match and his 13th of the season. Richard McKnight's kick put Accies 14-7 ahead.

The home side now enjoyed territorial advantage but Endrick were by no means out of contention. A strong run by Scott McCabe took him to Accies’ 22 but his pass out of the tackle went behind Dougie Porteous and into touch. Referee Mr McNichol awarded a penalty to Accies, ruling that the ball had been deliberately thrown into touch.

In 32 minutes play was held up when Endrick prop Tam McNeill took a shoulder injury at the bottom of a ruck. After a long delay the game resumed with a penalty to Accies, which was surprisingly missed. It mattered little because Endrick's drop-out was shifted to Accies winger Mike Hermes and he showed why he is high on the scoring list with a dash to the corner for an unconverted try.

Endrick fought hard to reduce the deficit and just before the break had some success when they were awarded a penalty on Accies’ 22. Kyle Campbell's kick completed the first half scoring at 19-10 to the home side.

The second half was probably most noted for the number of penalties awarded against Endrick, mainly for offside and holding or handling in the ruck. Several times these were accompanied by long lectures to the Endrick captain and one or other of his players. Eventually in 52 minutes the referee yellow-carded “the next player who offends” and the recipient was Endrick's influential Ewan MacKay. Accies immediately added their fourth try, replacement David McLaughlin the scorer.

Before Endrick were back to full strength they conceded another try. Mike Hermes scored this one after a fine run but the ball reached him only after an undetected piece of obstruction had prevented an Endrick player tackling the scrum-half at the ruck. Richard McKnight's conversion made the score 31-10 and Endrick's interest in this season's cup competition was effectively over. Alan Wilson added a final try for Accies in the closing minutes to make the score 36-10.

ENDRICK: S McCabe (capt); K Campbell, S Bastock, T Whitaker, D Porteous; B Duncan, P Ainsworth; D Spence, S Forsyth, T McNeill, S Cuthbertson, D McEwan, E MacKay, M. Braceland and S O'Brien, repl. A Christie, J McLaughlin, R Mair and D McGuffie.

That completes Endrick's programme for the year, their next scheduled match being on January 10 when their postponed league match with Cumbernauld will be played.