Hillfoots 1st XV 33 – 19 Harris Academy 1st XV
Hillfoots impressive start to the season continued with a hard fought victory against nearest challengers Harris. Hillfoots kicked off uphill, but with the kicked dropping short it was the visitors that had the first oppurtunity to apply the pressure. Hillfoots defended well and soon began to make ground. A penalty was kicked to touch and from the lineout the ball was secured and driven over the visitors line with Gavin Spowage having the final say. Hillfoots failed to capitalise and Harris took a deserved lead, once again from a catch and drive from the lineout. A Gregor Manson penalty restored ‘Foots lead. Both teams were showing a willingness to run the ball, which was making an entertaining game for the spectators. ‘Foots stretched their lead after Calum Mcgee took the ball to within inches of the line. With the cover defence thinking they’d done their job a neat offload to Grant Carmichael saw the young fullback squeeze over in the corner. The half closed with Harris on the front foot but the Hillfoots defence was not in the mood to let anyone through.
Half time 13-7
The second half began with neither team able to take a grip of the game. Play moved between the ’22s and once again defences were on top. Gradually ‘Foots began to put some urgency into their game. Another penalty was kicked to touch 10m out from the visitors try line. Another set move and this time it was Nik Binning that had the oppurtunity to score. Manson kicked the conversion. Once again Hillfoots failed to kill the game off and it was the visitors that were next on the scoresheet. Another lineout providing the score for Harris. Andrew Hamilton kicked a penalty to give the home side some breathing space. Harris were trying to make a game of it and were running the ball at every oppurtunity. The Hillfoots defence was ferocious with Paterson, Hunter, Beetham, Binning and McIntosh to the fore. Sandy Penman sealed the bonus point, first to react when the ball squirmed out the ruck. Still not done Harris pulled back another score, going over in the corner. From the kick off ‘Foots put the visitors back into their 22. Harris tried to run the ball but were going sideways and backwards such was the intensity of the Hillfoots tackling. A turnover was quickly shipped along the line to the waiting front row of Hunter, Penman and Slade. Slade got his hands on the ball first and set off into the 22, a neat chip went in behind the defence and the big man powered his way past the winger to win the race to the touchdown. Hillfoots played out the remainder of the game in the Harris half.
