Aberdeen Grammar 22 GHA 24
GHA returned from Aberdeen with all 5 points on Saturday despite failing to fire on all cylinders in attack. A solid defensive performance secured the win against the home side who had a sniff of victory in the dying minutes but were unable to get within striking distance of the GHA line.
GHA went behind for the only time in the match to an early penalty goal however they responded soon after with a well taken try by 17 year old back Charlie Lonergan who scored in left hand corner. Charlie doubled his tally shortly after when another slick piece of back play put full back Chris Binnie in the clear and he gave a long cut out pass to Lonergan who finished in the same corner. Peter Jericevich converted both scores from out wide.
Aberdeen’s primary attacking threat was Fijian centre Peceli Nacamavuto who set up an excellent score for the home team with a counter attack break and then pass to fly half Alex Hagart who scored on the left hand side. Hagart converted his own score.
GHA hit back soon after with a try from number 8 Paul Harkins who raced clear inside the Grammar 22. Conversion was missed and GHA were 19 to 10 ahead with the first half winding down.
However, Grammar got themselves back into the game right on half time when their Number 8, Tony McGinness scored from close range. Half time score 19-17 to GHA.
The second half began with an early GHA try to Erik Cavan who capitalised on a loose Aberdeen line out on their own 5 metre line to score from close range. The conversion from out wide was again missed.
That was to be GHA’s final score of the game as they’re attack failed to click in the second 40 with several promising opportunities eventually fizzling out through either goof Aberdeen defensive work or a catalogue of errors.
Nacamavuto scored a well taken try against the run of play when scrum half Morgan Ward’s clever box kick bounced perfectly for the flying Fijian who finished off from long range.
That brought Grammar to within two however the game fizzled out as GHA closed up shop and were eventually able to hold play out the game.
Meanwhile, on the adjacent pitch the 2nd XV secured their second win of the season with a convincing 38 to 12 victory.
This Saturday both 1sts and 2nds are at home against Kelso – KO 3pm.
Aberdeen Grammar: Ali Addy; Grant Walker, Peceli Nacamavuto, Conor Lavery, Jamie Gilmour; Alex Hagart, Morgan Ward; Duncan Massey, Stuart Davis, Chris Prentice; Adrian Hamilton, Hamilton Burr; Ali Mackie, Chris Jollands, Tony McGinness.
Replacements: Matthias Schosser, Shane Clark, Aaron Robertson, Tom Aplin, Martin McRobbie.
Scorers: T – Hagart, McGinness, Nacamavuto C – Hagart (2) P – Hagart
GHA: Chris Binnie; Rangi Jericevich,Ben Addison, Andrew Henderson, Charlie Lonergan; Andrew Goudie, Peter Jericevich; Lyall Archer, Erik Cavan, Michael Robertson; Robert McKinstray, Grant Neilson; Cameron Turner, Jack Dunn, Paul Harkins.
Replacements: Michael Fox, Scott Carson, Ross Angus, Murray Houston, Andrew Spowart.
Scorers: T – Lonergan (2), Cavan, Harkins C – P. Jericevich (2)
Referee: Mr D. McClement
