Bulls lose close encounter at Kirkaldy

Hamilton Bulls visited league leaders Kirkaldy in BT National 2 hoping to gatecrash their championship party. The Bulls were full of hope having come off an undefeated month in March, but from the off it was clear that Kirkaldy had their tails up and a very clear game plan. Their big pack played a simple game of power play pick and drives which saw them make ground consistently into Hamilton Territory. Hamilton’s defence was tenacious but penalties at the breakdown kept them pinned deep in their own 22. A successful penalty by Full backFinlay Smith, one of four, nudged Kirkaldy int the lead. Wilson equalised within 5 minutes but on the 13th minute Kirkaldy’s monopoly of possession was rewarded with a converted try, and shortly after their lead was further extended with another converted try by Connor Littlejohn.
However Hamilton stuck to their tactic of running the ball wide to the wings and began to claw their way back into the game as the Heavy Kirkaldy began to tire and Winger Ross Inglis crossed in the corner to close the gap to 23 – 8 at half time. The second half began in the same vein with Kirkaldy employing the same tactic of hitting up with their forwards. Smith was successful again with the boot, but it was Hamilton who scored the next try when Ross McQueen at the back of a rolling maul crossed the line. Unfortunately, although Hamilton outscored Kirkaldy 5 tries to 3. Their kickers had an off day and only one was converted. Craig Inglis was next on the score sheet with a typical Hamilton try after brilliant fast handling from forwards and backs. Kirkaldy pulled ahead again with another forwards try when substitute Rory Brown forced his way over. Taking their total to 33.
Frowm then on it was all Hamilton pushing hard to get what had seemed an unlikely victory.Ross Inglis went in again and a minute later was denied his hat trick when the ref adjudged the pass to him to be forward. Brother Craig Inglis crossed for his second as the game drew towards its conclusion, and in the last minute Hamlton tried to force the game. Once possession was turned over though, Kirkaldy’s forwards took possession of the ball to see out the match.
This was a hard, engrossing encounter with two teams at the top of their games playing very contrasting styles. Hamilton took the consolation of 2 bonus points to keep them in second place with 2 games remaining. Promotion is in their own hands. Coach David Gemmell expressed his pride in the way his young charges stuck to their guns. “This was a very brave performance by the boys who left everything on the pitch. I have to congratulate Kirkaldy on winning the league. They stuck to their tactics and showed real skill in managing the game. Promotion for us is still on and we will continue to work hard in training to reward the enthusiasm of our supporters”