North and Midlands 10,
Glasgow 19
A TRY of admirable creation by David Barrett, who also converted,
close to half-time proved the vital score as Glasgow harnessed the
appalling elements in the first half at Hawkhill. It set North and
Midlands a target that proved just beyond their reach in a contest
carrying a degree of skill which reflected immense credit on all the
participants.
Having almost made the line off a front peel, Fergus Wallace then went
left off a scrummage pick-up, David McVey re-ignited the move and Ewan
McCorkindale sent Barrett rocketing in on the tight side.
McCorkindale exerted huge influence with a polished display that
mocked the treacherous conditions and tactical appreciation of how to
make the touchline an ally in battling against the tide.
Earlier, he had punted astutely and his service craft had proved a
reliable link to George Breckenridge's heavy boot from Glasgow's secure
scrummage and Alan Watt's delivery of early lineout ball despite the
presence of Iain Paxton at No.2.
So most of the first half was contested in North and Midlands
territory, although they occasionally lifted the siege through the
physical aggression of Derek McLaughlin and Mike Allingham, the craft of
Brian Edwards, and forward sorties in which David Leckie, Paxton and
Grigor Mackenzie were principal spearheads.
The rival full backs, Barrett (a try, a penalty goal, and two
conversions) and Henry Murray, played extremely well considering the
gradual threat to each of hypothermia.
Phil Manning's opening try, a hack and chase job after Allingham was
presented with an evil ball, reflected the conditions. Next, when North
and Midlands were thrusting forward through Paxton and Mackenzie and
they lost control of a ball by now like a wet trout, George Graham
countered as only he can, and Breckenridge and his centres helped Derek
Stark to score.
So Glasgow took a 19-point lead into the second half -- but North and
Midlands reacted like racehorses out of the gate with two tries. Brian
Bell was first to cross the line, after Chris Evans launched crossfield
handling and Paxton had been thwarted. Colin Macartney converted. Then
Brian Edwards prodded and Mackenzie was stopped short before Allingham
became a try scorer for the second district match running.
Hereabouts for North and Midlands, Bell excelled at the throw-in,
Leckie had two bursts, Evans almost dummied through on the tightside,
they ran a kickable penalty, and Macartney was just wide with another.
But deteriorating conditions rendered final control unattainable and
McCorkindale, with a little help from friends, kept those spirited men
of the North at bay.
North and Midlands -- H A Murray (Heriot's FP); D E McLaughlin
(Boroughmuir), P F Rouse (Dundee HS FP),
B Edwards, C J Macartney (both Boroughmuir); C D Evans (Aberdeen GS
FP),
M J de G Allingham (Heriot's FP); A D G Mackenzie (Highland), M W
Scott (Dunfermline), J L Scobbie (Stirling County),
B M Bell (Highland), I A M Paxton (Selkirk) captain, H J Edwards
(Boroughmuir), D E W Leckie (Edinburgh Academicals), B Ireland (Stirling
County).
Glasgow -- D N Barrett (West of Scotland); D A Stark (Ayr), I C
Jardine (Stirling County), D R McKee (West of Scotland), P P Manning
(Ayr); G M L Breckenridge, E D McCorkindale (both GHK); G Graham, K D
McKenzie, G B Robertson (all Stirling County), A G J Watt (GHK), D A
Jackson (Hillhead Jordanhill), D A McVey (Ayr), F D Wallace, captain,
G D Busby (both GHK).
Referee -- R J Megson (Edinburgh Wanderers).
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