PRE-SEASON CONCLUDES WITH WIN AT IRVINE

Irvine RFC 18 – 45 GHA RFC

2009/2010: Pre-Season Friendly

GHA monopolised the second-half scoring in beating Irvine at Marress this afternoon. In the last warm-up before the start of the league programme in a week’s time the visitors were ahead by only 19-18 at half-time, but they went on to score 26 unanswered points to win by 45-18, scoring seven tries against Irvine’s two.

Despite struggling to secure a set-piece platform GHA came from behind three times before the interval – from 5-0 after only two minutes, from 7-12 midway in the first half, and 14-18 as the game ran over the first 40 minutes. Jamie Pinder scored the first of the GHA tries from a pick-up from an unsteady close-range scrum, Andrew Gillman sprinted through for the second, and Rangi Jericevich snatched a 19-18 lead just before half-time.

Pinder, however, contributed much more than his try. His efforts did a lot to keep the mainly young pack going so that the team could make their superior fitness tell in the second half.

Martin Dunn ghosted through for GHA’s fourth try nine minutes into the second half. He also kicked that conversion and four others, and when Ben Wright sprinted over on the hour GHA had a comfortable scoreline at 33-18. Dominic Dunn then finished off an attack from deep inside the GHA 22, and Ross McClymont notched the seventh try after he had picked up a loose ball outside the home 22.

It was a creditable performance, especially when only half a dozen of last season’s first-team squad made the short tip to the Ayrshire coast. Several of the other regulars were resting after knocks in the heavy 10-62 defeat at Currie a week ago.

GHA’s league programme starts a week today with a visit to Kelso. The first home game at Braidholm the following Saturday against Biggar.

GHA Team: