Last weekend saw GHA play their first full preseason fixture against Premier 1 side, West of Scotland. With GHA’s ranks decimated by injury and players being away on holiday, it was a great chance for some of the young players coming through to test themselves against a top class side. Indeed, at points in the match, GHA had 9 teenagers on the field!
Although West ran out comfortable winners by approximately 60-12, there were some encouraging performances throughout the team. None more so than that of 17 year old lock Adam Barnett who played with great assurance and put in a solid all round display. Also encouraging was the return of former GHA hooker Donald Malcolm from long term injury who despite playing his first game in a couple of years showed that he has lost none of the class that won him several Scotland age grade caps.
GHA scored two tries. The first came from an opportunistic break off of a W.o.S. midfield scrum by GHA scrum half Scott Mathieson. He robbed his oppostie number of the ball and made a searing break up the middle before feeding Adam Barnett who beat the cover defence to score in the left corner. The second try came from young flanker Sam Bingham who broke through the West defensive line from 10 metres out before handing off the cover tackler to score under the posts. James Noonan converted.
This weekend sees GHA take on Premier 3 Ardrossan Accademicals at Braidholm. The game will start with the two 2nd XVs squaring off before the 1st XV players play out the final hour or so. Kick off will be at around 2pm. Come along and see how the boys are shaping up for the new season. Remember, the season starts proper at home to Jed-Forest on August 21st. We need a big support down to help get the team off to a winning start.
