On Saturday Garnock travelled to Hughenden to face Hillhead Jordanhill for the first competitive game between the clubs in a number of years. Following some inclement weather in the morning the sky brightened shortly before kick off allowing the game to be played in reasonable conditions. Despite the earlier weather the pitch was in good condition underfoot
Garnock conceded a penalty straight from the kick off allowing the home side to enter the 22 and apply pressure. Garnock’s defence initially held firm however after five minutes the home side opened the scoring with a try. Conversion wide 5-0
Heads did not drop and Garnock began to work their way into the game. The next score belonged to the visitors. A break from Rory Walker 30m out breached the defensive line and the stand-off found centre Cian Smith in support and he finished well for his first try for the club. Conv good 5-7
In a match littered with penalties conceded by both teams there was little flow to either sides play. The next score went to Hills midway through the half with a further unconverted try 10-7
For the next 10 minutes the game was played around midfield with neither side able to exert any significant pressure however following a couple of penalties Garnock were able to make their way into the home 22. From a lineout drive the visitrs were able to apply pressure and after some close contact work Stuart Wilson touched down in the corner. Conv wide 10-12
With 5 minutes in the half remaining Garnock had a lineout in midfield however the ball was scrappy allowing a Hills forward to break to the 10m line before passing to the winger who outpaced the cover defence to score taking it to 15-12 at half-time .
The early stages of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with neither side able to apply any sustained periods of pressure however with 15 minutes gone Garnock were in the Hills 22 when they were awarded a penalty. Scrum-half Keir Walker took a quick tap, found Matt Shiells in centre field and the prop carried the final 10m to crash over . Conv good 15-19
The see-saw game could go either way and the next score would be important. Unfortunately for the visitors it went to the home side. Hills went through some phases around the 22 when their stand-off produced a smart cross field kick finding a player out wide who scored unchallenged. 20-19
Straight from the restart Garnock conceded a penalty for a late challenge on the stand-off resulting in a penalty where the ball landed on the Garnock 22. Spotting that the Garnock defence were anticipating a kick to touch the Hills 10 cleverly took a tap , chipped over the defensive line and recollected to score between the sticks .27-19
With Garnock now requiring two scores they began to chase the game however their efforts went unrewarded and with time running out Hills took advantage of a disorganised defence to add the final score of the game 34-19
The final scoreline did not accurately reflect the tightness of the game however Hills deserved to take the points. A significant positive for the visitors was the return, for the final 20 minutes, of club skipper Lewis McGeachy following a long absence through injury.
Garnock have no fixture next week and their campaign continues the following week with a home game against Orkney
Garnock squad Shiells, ONeill, F Miller, Watson, A Miller, Wilson, Crossan, Brocket, K Walker, R Walker, Wynn, Smith, Reekie, Woods, McCrorie Reps McGuire, King, McGeachy, Anderson
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