1st XV
Matches
Sat 18 Jan 2020  ·  Tennent's National League Division 2
Newton Stewart Rugby Football Club
1st XV
7
16
GHK
Tough loss for Reds against GHK

Tough loss for Reds against GHK

Jo jo_mcgeoch@hotmail.com19 Jan 2020 - 22:03
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

Last minute disallowed try sees victory slip away!

Newton Stewart RFC 7 – 16 GHK RFC
Tennants National League Division 2
Saturday 18th January 2020

Newton Stewart RFC returned to league action last weekend with a home game against GHK. The Glasgow side had secured the narrowest of victories against the Reds in their earlier meeting this season and Newton Stewart were hopeful of overturning the result on home soil.
Some heavy rain last week left the ground heavy underfoot, and it wasn’t long before the pitch turned to slippy mud in places. The early play saw the visitors with most of the possession, but there was some solid Newton Stewart defensive work to avoid GHK from threatening too severely.
An attempted intercept by Fraser Morton very nearly came off, but the ball didn’t quite land in his hands and was knocked-on instead. When the Reds did recover possession after ten minutes they looked promising with the ball in hand, but a forward pass handed the ball back to GHK once more.
With 17 minutes on the clock the visitors were awarded a penalty within kicking distance. They lined up the kick, a relatively straightforward angle, but couldn’t find the target and the game continued at 0 – 0.
The majority of the first half was a superb midfield battle. The intensity from both sides was impressive. Turnovers came for Newton Stewart from both Mark McCornick and Jason McKie in the back row, but GHK’s defence was reliable and their counter-rucking relentless, giving the Reds no easy balls.
From nowhere second row Alan Ferrie burst through the GHK line with the ball in hand. Fraser Morton appeared on his shoulder within seconds and received the pass that gave him an open field in front of him. Needing nothing but pace to finish the move, he tore upfield with no chance of being caught to give Newton Stewart a thrilling first half try. Full-back Jack Gaw completed the conversion kick too for the full seven points.
The referee was very quick to blow his whistle for holding on in the game, however he was at least consistent in recognising the offence in both sides.
GHK piled pressure onto Newton Stewart in the last few minutes of the first half, securing another penalty kick which this time found it’s target, 7 – 3.
After the interval the battle continued. GHK’s strong kicking game repeatedly pinned the Reds back inside their own half and forced them to work far harder for territory.
Newton Stewart were penalised for offside ten minutes into the second half and the visitors took their points once more to narrow the score to 7-6.
Stand-off David Gaw impressed with some precise territory kicking of his own in this half before being involved in a heavy collision on the ground and having to leave the pitch with a nasty shoulder injury.
As Newton Stewart did a quick reshuffle of personnel, the visitors applied some pressure. A brief lapse in the concentration from the Reds allowed GHK through the defensive line just metres out from the try line and a converted try followed with only ten minutes left on the clock.
Newton Stewart didn’t go down without a fight however and pushed forwards once more. They camped out on the GHK line and repeatedly knocked on the door. Back row James McMiken hurled himself over the line in what looked to be a match-winning try, but the referee blew his whistle to signal there had been an obstruction and the visitors were given a chance to clear their lines.
A messy fall out finished the game in bad spirits, with a red card coming for Newton Stewart replacement Connal MacDonald. GHK were awarded another penalty as a result and finished out the match 7 – 16 ahead.
This was an incredibly close game and brutal in its physicality. Newton Stewart battled hard throughout and didn’t do much wrong in their performance.
Alan Ferrie had a stormer of a game in the second row and hooker Ross Campbell handled himself impressively in the scurm against seriously tough opposition.
The Craig Wilson Ltd Man of the Match for Newton Stewart was Fraser Morton who took his opportunity to score when it was presented and tackled consistently well in this game.
Next game for the Reds is at home again this weekend (Saturday 25th January) against Glasgow Accies. With a close rivalry existing between these two clubs, Newton Stewart would love to secure a victory against them on home turf. Please note, kick-off is at the earlier time of 1pm.
Team: Jack Gaw, Robert Service, Calum Gaw, Fraser Morton, Jamie Muir, David Gaw, Robbie McCornick, Martin Wallace, Ross Campbell, Liam Brawls, Alan Ferrie, Mark Craig, James McMiken, Mark McCornick (capt), Jason McKie. Subs: Ronan McDonald, Connal McDonald, David Adams, Jamie Smith.

Match details

Match date

Sat 18 Jan 2020

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

Tennent's National League Division 2

League position

4
GHK
7
Newton Stewart
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Shirt Sponsor - Mathers Ltd
Player of the Match Sponsor - Craig Wilson LTD