Friday night’s fixture against Dumfries was almost a wash out, not only as a result of the heavy rain during the day, but also a s a result of floodlight failure as kick off approached. The match was delayed by some 25 minutes but eventually got under way and Hamilton showed their intent from the off. Despite the opponents’ dominance up front, bulls used their pace and clever lines to move them around the park, almost capitalising from the off. However ill discipline up front cost them ground and on 4 minutes Dumfries were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, which man of the match Jack Steele duly converted.
Bulls hit back almost immediately when after a series of well controlled forward drives the ball was released to the backs. Mcleish delayed his pass well to send Wilson into a gap out wide and dot down in the corner. No Conversion. Dumfries missed the chance to edge ahead from the tee, but on 23 minutes were awarded another penalty in front to goal for an easy conversion again by Steele. Bulls hit back again from the kick off winning a penalty on the opponents 10 metre line and Mcleish duly obliged from the tee. He had a further opportunity 5 minutes later. His kick was signalled successful by touch judges but cancelled by the ref who deemed it to have drifted wide. This decision seemed to typify a display of inconsistency which nonplussed the crowd.
The first half ended with the bulls defending a narrow lead in a thoroughly engrossing contest. However with the wind at their backs in the second half Dumfries showed why they are sitting 3rd in the division led by the speed and guile of Steel, and the power of their pack. Dumfries went on the attack from the off working their way down the narrow channel on the blind side. Bulls defended stoutly but eventually their backs were sucked across leaving acres of space on the wing and Steele launched a clever cross-field kick to find winger Muirhead all on his own for an easy touchdown. No conversion. Penalties conceded at the ruck were killing Hamilton, and it was no surprise when Dumfries added to their tally with a score at the posts by lock Brown for a lead of 8 – 18 and the writing was on the wall. Within 10 minutes Dumfries got their bonus point try when Steele’s darting break was well supported and the ball fed wide for winger Whiteford to squirm in at the corner. Dumfries were rewarded by another score under the posts after both teams had a player yellow carded for scuffling. Hamilton played the ball through the hands well in several phases of play showing that they still possessed a threat but were let down by failure to secure the ball in the tackle too often. As the game entered its dying five minutes Dumfries added the cherry to the cake with 2 quick fire scores to make the final score 8 – 35.
Bulls have now tumbled down the league and find themselves in a precarious position moving into the latter stage of the season. A much needed confidence booster is needed to get them back on track.