West of Scotland 21,
Dundee HS FP 12
BEFORE the league campaign kicked off, most pundits would have backed
GHK as the most likely Glasgow side to gain promotion. With exactly half
the fixtures played, however, the Glasgow challenge is coming not from
Anniesland but from Burnbrae.
While the poor form of GHK can in part be blamed on their horrendous
catalogue of injuries, the cause of the rise of West's fortunes is more
difficult to define.
What tangibles can explain how a young side which gave the ball away
at the contact points with alarming regularity can, in a few short
weeks, have developed into a powerhouse outfit producing that rare
commodity this season -- exciting running rugby.
West were simply a revelation on Saturday and while coach Sandy
Service was critical that their workrate had slackened in the last
quarter, he felt that there was no other second-division side which
could have lived with his team in that first hour.
West's first sortie realised a penalty for Dave Barrett after a
softish award for a late tackle on the stand-off. Within minutes they
had added a try -- prop David Jamieson touching down following a scrum
five. The build-up had featured controlled mauling and driving, crisp
handling, and quick ball regeneration.
The pattern continued and only resolute Dundee defence and errant
goal-kicking by Alan Williamson held the score to 8-0.
Two quick scores immediately after the interval -- a Barrett penalty
and a Gordon Bulloch try courtesy of Barrett's deft pass, converted by
Barrett -- gave a truer reflection of the home dominance.
In the last quarter Rod James and Ian Hope managed tries for the
visitors, Chris Robinson converting the second score, but between the
touchdowns Barrett kept his side comfortably ahead with a lazily struck
drop goal which just crept over.
West of Scotland -- T Greenshields; D Riding, A Bulloch, R Little, A
Williamson; D Barrett, F Stott; S McGregor, G Bulloch, D Jamieson, S
McKechnie, G Perrett, D McLeish, J Shaw, J Lonergan.
Dundee HS FP -- S Longstaff; M Cousin, P Rouse, D Hamilton, J Jardine;
C Robinson, G Sandford; S Lithgow, R James, N Robertson, G Hayter, S
Campbell, C Samson, I Hope, T McWhirter. Replacements -- R Arthur for
Hamilton (52min), S Finnie for Cousin (65min).
Referee -- R Megson (Edinburgh Wanderers).
SCORERS: West of Scotland -- Barrett, 2p, 1dg, 1c; Jamieson, 1t; G
Bulloch, 1t. Dundee HS FP James, 1t; Hope, 1t; Robinson, 1c.
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