Hamilton Bulls continued their improvement in form with a fine bonus point victory over Glasgow Accies at Laigh Bent. The disappointment of the early season is now firmly in the past as the free flowing rugby of the Bulls resulted in 5 converted tries, Andy Wilson collecting a hat trick.

No team can have complete dominance for a whole match and Accies’ spirited defence meant the Bulls had to work hard for their victory, and yet in the first 25 scoreless minutes, Bulls looked like they would run away with the game. The backs made break after break, particularly Stand off Ryan and winger Ryan Burrell, whose strong running breached the first line frequently. However inaccurate handling, and questionable decision making resulted in opportunities being squandered. The decisive first try was a fine individual effort by Andy Wilson coming into the line from full back and straightening the angle to slice through the defence and score under the posts for McLeish to add the extras. Despite the Bulls’ dominance it was Accies who took the lead after a successful penalty goal by Macewen. He added the extras when Nash forced his way over the whitewash out wide for a 7 – 10 half time lead.

Bulls came out for the 2nd half fired up by the scoreline and from the kick off rucked over the Accies forwards, reclaimed the ball and displayed excellent handling by both forwards and backs, swinging the ball from right to left wings and back again where Wilson popped up again to charge over for an excellent team try to reclaim the lead at 14 - 10. Play became somewhat scrappy as both teams in their anxiety to score failed to look after the ball and discipline started to fray. Accies were given easy exits from their 22 by Bulls concession of soft penalties. None the less I was Bulls who extended their lead when Mcleish delayed a pop pass to Howatson who took the crash ball and forced his way over close the posts, Mcleish himself adding the extras. The crowd began to sense the bonus point would come but Accies’ Nash again scored a converted try when some early missed tackles created the space for him to scamper over.

Bulls again took the play deep into Accies’ territory and from a lineout ploy the ball was shipped to Josh Wilson whose charge for the line was halted just short. Quick recycling allowed the ball to be fed to substitute Calder Dallas whose charge was unstoppable giving Bulls a bonus point lead of 28 – 17. On 65 minutes Accies introduce substitute Ruaridh Jackson, former Scotland and Glasgow Warriors full back who is now player coach. He showed some early touches of class getting Accies on to the front foot, but Bulls Andy Wilson showed real class as he scored Bulls’ final try. Picking the ball up deep in his own half, he made a half break, and spotting acres of empty space deep in Accies, half kicked forward. He easily out paced Jackson despite giving him a head start, to dot down wide out. The game appeared won, but Accies came back with one last effort and winger Hood forced his way over at the corner flag for the final try leaving Bulls supporters cheering a 35 – 24 bonus point win.

Next up for bulls is a trip to Bottom side Whitecraigs. Meanwhile on the back pitch the 2nd XV had an excellent bonus point victory over Marr RFC by 47 – 26. Once again the development of the club is going in the right direction.

Report by Jim Browning
Picture by Nick Schaschke