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).