Hillfoots 1st XV 35 – 15 Dundee University
Hillfoots made it 13 from 13 with a 6 tries to two victory over the University. Dundee started the stronger and after ‘Foots knocked on, the young Uni side drove towards the visitors line. Hillfoots tackling was solid but were eventually penalised for not rolling away. The penalty was easily converted. From the kick off Hillfoots set about taking control of the game. The forwards were dominant in the set piece and were looking hungry for the ball. The backs looked confident in attack and defence. ‘Foots grabbed the lead after several drives for the line were denied a score. The ball was moved left of the posts before coming back the opposite way, allowing Andrew Hamilton to crash over. Gregor Manson converted. Mark Hunter added to his tally for the season after the backs had taken the ball deep into the home ’22. With the forwards arriving in numbers it was left to Hunter to pick up and crash over. Manson converted a penalty to leave the visitors up by 15-3.
The next score was a beauty. Gregor Mcintosh stole the ball on his own 10 metre line and set off for the line. Mcintosh took the ball deep into the home ’22 before being swallowed up by the covering defence. With the chance looking to have gone, a neat offload to the ever present Davy Cree allowed the Hillfoots legend to crash over.
Half time 20 – 3
Hillfoots kicked off into the slight breeze, which had certainly died down from the first half. The forwards turned over ball and the backs managed to get within 10 meteres of the line. Dundee cleared but from the resultant lineout a catch and drive was finished off with a score from Gregor Mcintosh. The visiting scrum was in total command at the set piece. Hillfoots were now playing most of the game in the home half. Sandy Penman was next up. The backs once again took the ball deep into the home ’22. The forwards were held up a couple of times before Penman crashed over. A penalty try should have came next after the pack drove Dundee over the line only for the scrum half to come in at the side and kick the ball away. The try was only delayed as ‘Foots opted for the scrum. Chris Beetham showed good footwork this time guide the ball over and touchdown.
The game became a bit scrappy after this with 2 or 3 niggling injuries setting in for both teams. The Uni rallied towards the end and picked up a couple on consolation scores.
This was a solid team performance with 1 to 19 giving their all.
Next week sees Hillfoots play the first of 2 massive games against Glenrothes, the first one for league honours and the week after for place in the final of the Caledonia Shield.
