Bulls hold on for Bonus point at Preston Lodge

Hamilton Bulls got back to winning ways when they visited Preston Lodge on Saturday playing adventurous, committed rugby. As one fan said “It wouldn’t be the Bulls without a wee wobble to give the opposition a sniff, but the lads stuck it out well with some dogged defence to close the game out with the bonus point”.

Bulls went on the offensive from the kick off, almost capitalising on PL error, which gave them possession and several good secure phases took them to the PL line. PL turned over possession and effected their exit when Bulls conceded a soft penalty. A second penalty gave them a shot at goal which was missed and Bulls immediately launched an attack from the 22 drop out but once again committed an offence at the ruck to turn over possession again. PL went through 20 phases of pick and go to threaten the Bulls line but the defence was strong. 5 minutes of this forward pressure eventually paid off for the home team when their pack drove a scrum almost to the line and the back row picked up and drove over. PL’s tails were up and they went on the attack again after a high tackle gave them a penalty to take the game into Bulls 22. Bulls turned over possession however and Ben Plant with quick feet and an eye for space took play to the other end. McLeish took the ball to the line and off loaded on the ground to Turnbull whose long pass to the wing was gratefully received by Plant who beat two defenders to score in the corner to level things.

Stung by this, PL answered immediately, by changing tactic and moving the ball into the wide channels where their centre broke clear to dot down under the posts. The boot of McLeish was in evidence as he took Hamilton deep into the opposition 22 but poor lineout execution cost the turnover. Poor handling by the hosts gave Hamilton possession and with good quick passing Wilson was release to score in the corner. Once again it was the boot of Mcleish and a good follow up from Plant which took play into the opposition half. Again Hamilton’s defence was strong and from a turnover, Ben plant with virtually no room escaped the attention of the PL defence to run in from 50 metres, converted by Wilson to take Hamilton ahead for the first time in the match. Bulls were almost in again after pouncing on loose ball after PL handling error but stout defence by the hosts kept them out. Nonetheless it was Bulls who scored next through Whitelaw after some crisp passing from the base of the ruck created space for his inside break to score the bonus point try wide out. An excellent conversion from Wilson added the extras for a half time score of 14 - 24.

PL made their intentions clear from the kick off launching waves of attack which Hamilton defended stoutly, eventually clearing their lines through a McLeish penalty. Bulls played for territory and took play back into the PL half. Having secured possession the back row ran strongly, created space and when the bal reached Inglis he waltzed through the defence to score a converted try. As PL desperately tried to get back into the match they were caught crossing and Wilson was able to add another 3 points from the boot. PL hit back immediately by taking play to the Bulls 5 Metre line and after a sequence of lineout mauls, which were well defended by Bulls, several “nearly” tries held up by the defence. After this exhausting period of defence PL did score after some scrappy handling created space out wide for their centre close the gap. Conversion good. PL continued to apply pressure and Bulls found it difficult to get their hands on the ball as the PL pack began to take control and they scored again from a lineout maul to take the score to 26 -34 into the final 10 minutes. Scrum dominance gave PL a penalty shot which they missed but at this stage of the game it was real back to the wall stuff from the Bulls defence. As the game wound down, Jamieson was yellow carded for repeat infringement at the breakdown. PL took their 3 points to secure the losing bonus point with the last kick of the game. Final score PL 29 - Hamilton 34.

Meanwhile Hamilton’s seconds match against Glasgow Accies was forfeited by the opposition due to their inability to field a side. The 3rd XV won by 80 points to 0 at East Kilbride 2nds.

Match report from
Jim Browning