Under 13s Win in Huntly

GCC travelled to a “secluded” pitch in view of the ruins of castle Huntly to play against a stuffy Moray/Huntly (Muntly) combined team on a blustery but mild autumn Sunday. Numbers were good this week with 17 players turning up to pull on a Granite City shirt. Unfortunately, Archie Lindsay had to call off last minute with a bug, likewise a couple to whom we wish a swift recovery.

The game kicked off a few minutes after 11am after a last-minute clarification of the playing periods by the referee and the opposing coaches. It was a battle of the forwards for the first 15minutes of the game with no side really managing to barge past the other, until Lewis Gibbon made a break a fine run and was in the motion of touching down over the line to have the ball snatched out of his hands and didn’t get the try. After good defensive pressure by the centre pairing of Thomas and Flynn, Callum Nicol did well to catch a clearing kick on the full and turn the possession into and attacking ruck on the left wing. Using the advantage of the wind Thomas tried some searching kicks behind the Muntly defence to keep them on their toes. After a period of pressure by our defensive line Thomas kicked through a spilled ball to score with Angus converting. The back three of Dylan Andrew, Angus W and Brodie did a great job tackling some lads that looked like they had been chucking hay bales around from a very young age. Sam, Finlay and Jo and Callum did a good job in the technical parts of the line out and scrum, but we may need to look at these areas in more detail in the coming weeks. Joseph was lucky to get the chance to make significant yardage on a few occasions. Lewis Maclean did a great job of scragging anyone that broke through the defensive wall and holding them up for the Calvary to arrive. The half backs of Lewis G, Angus M and Ishan were good in distribution and supported the plays.

Huntly then scored a try which they failed to covert. GCC scored after some hard and straight running by Thomas which again was converted by Angus. Half time score was 8-3.

Just after half time Stewart Shearer drove forward past a couple of Muntly players with sheer determination and strength to touch down just after the restart. It would be good to see players getting connected and supporting the ball carrier more quickly in the tight situations. Due to a gusty wind we were unable to gain the extra points in the second half but a fine effort was made nonetheless. If anyone needs a ball home to practice kicking, let me know. Huntly replied with a try a minute later and managed to convert with the wind assistance. After another period of pressure defence on the Muntly line a clearing kick hit the post and bounced randomly on the left side, Angus Morrison pounced on the ball securing the score to put GCC ahead. Play resumed and the other Angus picked up the ball on our own 10-yard line to start a fine run which never seemed to end, that is until he touched down over the line a nice reward for the individual effort.

Final Score 17-11.

The coaches were very pleased with the effort against a big pack of players and we “more or less” stuck to game plan which was to move the ball and support out wide, although in the last 10 minutes it got a bit more chaotic. Some of the players were playing in new “set” positions they have never played before today and all did well. Finlay at Hooker, Flynn at outside centre, Gregor on the wing. We changed it around in the second half to try players in different positions and give them new challenges.

A growing group of boys, all decked out in shirts and ties, attended the Golf club for sausage rolls (my fav.) and beans and of course a play on the switch! One of the Muntly boys stood up and gave a little thank you speech to GCC to which he received a round of applause and Ihsan took the responsibility to say thanks back on behalf of GCC. It would be good to see a fuller turn out in the future as the social side is quite important in rugby and the home club volunteers caters for numbers expected.

Our thanks to Dylan for organising the bagging and counting of the shirts and to Kirsten Webb for again washing them for the lads….
Good tough game, good result !

Coaches
Graeme Buchan, James Bell

Squad
1st Half- Sam Lynch, Finlay Buchan, Joseph Rasmussen, Angus Webb, Andrew Bell, Dylan Lennox, Lewis Gibbons, Angus Morrison, Callum Nicol, Thomas Ewan (Captain), Flynn Hamilton, Gregor Morrison, Lewis Mclean.
2nd Half- Sam Lynch, Callum Sherwood, Joseph Rasmussen, Stewart Shearer, Brodie Duguid, Andrew Bell, Ihsan Rahman, Thomas Ewan, Angus Webb, Dylan Lennox, Angus Morrison (replaced by Lewis Gibbon after 30mins), Flynn Hamilton, Lewis Mclean.

Report by Graeme Buchan