Despite a barnstorming first half display,with both forwards and backs on fire and seemingly looking like they were going to sweep their opposition aside,regrettably Falkirk saw their promotion hopes evaporate into thin air when an indifferent second period of play allowed League-leaders G.H.A. back into contention and eventually take the spoils. Nevertheless Falkirk showed a very positive attitude from the start and took the lead within the opening five minutes in an impressive style when the visitors were penalised for delaying the throw in at a line-out just outside their 22 metre line. Taking a quick tap penalty the ball was swiftly transferred to Left Winger Matt Morrell who then skirted the touchline and storm his way to the try-line before timing his inside pass to perfection for Blind Side Wing Forward Matt Larson to barge his way over for an unconverted try. However the Glasgow side did reap some reward for a fairly concentrated period of pressure in Falkirk's 22 metre area when their Left Winger John Brogan converted a penalty in the 11th minute. Undaunted Falkirk added to their score only two minutes afterwards,when from a scrum near the touchline approximately 30 metres out Scrum Half Dan Ritchie fed Outside Centre Fraser Lyle at pace and he cut through G.H.A.'s weak defence like a hot knife going through butter for another crowd pleasing try,which he duly converted himself. Unfortunately the home side were temporarily brought back down to earth when they lost the services of Prop Forward Kris Burney for ten minutes when he was yellow carded in the 19th minute. Alas it has to be said,and although the half finished with Falkirk's forwards encamped on their opponents' try line,that they really should have been much further ahead with two or three glaring try-scoring opportunities going abegging,which at the end of the day came back to haunt them. In an amazing turnaround of fortunes G.H.A. got the bit firmly between their teeth,and following good lead up work by their forwards near the corner flag the ball was spun out wide to the back for former Scotland centre Andrew Henderson to send out a long scoring pass to Left Winger John Brogan,who then wasted no time at all in racing his way over for a try,which he then converted himself in the 46th minute. Now only ahead by a tenuous two points Falkirk then strove to increase their lead,and after fighting their way deep into the visitors' half a breakdown in play allowed the Glasgow side's Scrum Half Andrew Gillman to intercept the ball and break up the touchline for an unconverted try in the 56th minute. In a very tense and nail-biting finish for both sides Brogan converted a penalty for G.H.A. in the 65th minute,only for Falkirk to come roaring back when Matt Larson crashed over for an unconverted try from a five metre line out seven minutes later,with the attempted conversion going agonisingly wide. With the outcome still uncertain Brogan sealed the game in G.H.A's favour when he converted a further penalty conversion in the closing four minutes of play. Falkirk Team 1.Kris Burney 2.Andrew Simpson 3.Graeme Simpson 4.Will Hansen 5.Cole Ronald 6.Matt Larson 7.Aubrey Mncube 8. Nathan Watts 9,Dan Ritchie 10.Logan Bonnar 11.Matt Morrell 12.Graham Gillilands 13.Fraser Lyle 14.Andrew Penman 15.Andrew Krelle Subs. 16.Ihipa Thompson 17.Lawrence Miller 18.Stuart McCulloch 19.David Lyle. This Week Falkirk travel to Motherwell to take on Dalziel. Kick-Off is at 3.00p.m. and the team bus will be leaving the clubhouse at 12.30p.m.




























R Marshall