Aberdeen Grammar vs Hawick
17 March 2008
Aberdeen Grammar 16 Hawick 18
ABERDEEN Grammar were dramatically denied a place in the quarter - final of the National Cup after Hawick winger Anderson dashed over the home line deep into injury time.
The last gasp touchdown was converted by centre Craig Neish Neish to give the visitors a scarcely deserved win in a thrilling, but tough encounter.
Grammar put aside their woeful league form, rising manfully to the occasion, giving head coach Mike O'Donovan a performance to be proud of even if the outcome was cruel in the extreme.
''I was pleased with the performance and can't fault the guys, though we still need to be a little more street wise. But over the game we competed well,'' said a visibly disappointed O'Donovan.
The game got off to the most dramatic start as Hawick prop forward Simon Fleetwood was sent off for landing a series of punches in the first minute, though the New Zealander claimed he had been bitten on the hand.
''I know he overreacted, but what would you do if someone bit you in the street,'' said Hawick coach Jim Hay.
The game settled down after its explosive start, but despite their handicap the visitors went into the break 6 - 3 up on the back of two Neish penalties to one from Grammar full back Andrew Ritchie who was immense throughout.
Grammar buckled down in the second half taking the game to Hawick, getting their reward in 47 minutes through veteran front row man Iain Stanger, vindicating O'Donovan's decision to recall the old war horse who has not played a first team game for over 18 months.
Stanger's close in try was immaculately converted by Ritchie to set up the prospect of a shock result, especially when the full back thumped over another penalty to make it 13 - 6 and going into the final quarter.
But not for the first time in their 135 year old history the Green Machine rose to the challenge, though home skipper Colin Philips was desperately unlucky with the bounce of the ball, enabling full back John Coutts to race over the line.
After Neish failed with the conversion, Ritchie eased the pressure on the home side with his third penalty of the day to set up a nerve tingling final 10 minutes.
Unfortunately former Scotland player Andrew Wilson got himself yellow carded, leaving his team mates to hang to their five point lead.
This they looked to have done, until they failed to effectively clear their lines, allowing Anderson to tie up the game and Neish to win a thoroughly enjoyable game of rugby.
Grammar had a teamful of heroes, but once again Ali Robertson was a stand out at flanker, while centre Ashleah McCulloch proved he is one for the future.
Philips shrugged off the years, as did Stanger, but it was Hawick who had the last word.
''I thought we had them, but at least we have put down a marker for next season,'' said Philips.
Reproduced with permission from the Press & Journal.
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