Despite Hamilton’s complete dominance of both territory and possession on a bright Saturday at Laigh Bent, it was visitors Aberdeen Grammar who went home with the bonus point win. Coach David Gemmell had demanded that his team play with the same attacking flair, but with more accuracy in possession. But once again it was Hamilton’s errors in attack which gifted Aberdeen 4 of their 6 tries.
The game began well for Hamilton whose attack from the kick off was sharp and accurate and within 2 minutes they were up and running with a try for Winger Ben Plant after some slick handling from both forwards and backs, and Andrew Wilson added the extras from wide out. However, Aberdeen hit back immediately when the ball was coughed up in the tackle to give centre, Tom Alpin a clear run to the line try converted by Bryn Perrott. Hamilton spent most of the next 10 minutes camped on the Aberdeen line, until again the ball was turned over in the tackle allowing Aberdeen an easy exit. A penalty conceded midfield gave Perrott the easiest of penalties to give Aberdeen the lead on 11 minutes. Hamilton spent the next 10 minutes again pounding the opposition line. Both sides were playing attacking rugby, with Aberdeen’s bulky centres punching holes in the Hamilton defence, and Hamilton’s speedy backs throwing the ball around. Again Bulls gave away possession through a penalty to the corner. Wing forward Chris Jollands withdrew from the line out to lurk malevolently on the wing. A long cut out pass put him in wide of the Hamilton defence to extend the visitors’ lead.
Again Hamilton threw everything into attack, even from deep within their own 22, and Aberdeen’s next score came from their defence of Hamilton’s desire to run the ball. Again it was Alpin who stripped the ball from Hamilton in the tackle, and with the defence split, he had the easiest task to stride over. Again, Hamilton conceded in their anxiety to get back into the game. Wilson’s clearing kick just metres from his own line was charged down, the ball ricocheting into the arms of grateful winger Nat Cole, who flopped over in the corner.
The scoring in the second half was less regular, as Hamilton showed their fitness by launching wave after wave of attacks. But again it was Aberdeen who broke up field and drew the penalty gratefully accepted by Perrott. Hamilton spent the next 20 minutes pounding the Aberdeen line but stout defence allied to Hamilton’s anxiety kept them at bay. Having soaked up this assault on their line, Aberdeen again stole possession and forced their way into Hamilton’s 22. The heavy pack went through several phases of pick and go rugby, then released Stand off Sam Knudsen who ghosted in under the posts despite carrying an injury.
Hamilton had the last say when they finally managed to find space in the outside channel to release Andrew Wilson to score in the corner to bring up the final score of Hamilton 12, Aberdeen 35. The match was a pulsating, exciting affair with lots of good enterprising rugby, but again the Hamilton lads seemed to suffer from white line fever, and failed to capitalise on the excess of good quality possession.
Ross McQueen was congratulated on his 50th cap, and Craig Inglis made his debut in the second row.
The 2nd XV had a convincing victory over Marr by 40 – 17, while the thirds came back victorious from Dalziel High’s 2nd XV, 27 – 59.