Bulls fielded a much changed pack for the visit of Preston Lodge. Injuries and Covid self isolation stripped the team of its normal front row and stand off, and within 2 minutes they fell behind to a well worked break from the kick off. Clark made early inroads into the bulls defence and a well judged chip in centre field turned the defence. Good footballing skills took the opponents deep into Bulls’ 22 . quick ruck ball was fed to winger Hughes who darted in. Scrum half Hillhouse, who was everywhere during the match, added the extras.
It took Hamilton a good 15 minutes to work their way into the game, but were lucky not to go further behind when Hillhouse missed a penalty chance on 10 minutes. Both defences were on to during this phase and as tempers began to fray both side lost a man to the bin for over aggressive play. The fight came to nothing but Coltman and pollard both got a rest for 10 minutes. Hamilton began to show some attacking flair and a great break by ross inglis on 24 minutes was stopped 5 metres out by last ditch defence. Hamilton failed to capitalise on the 5M scrum. There was a period of attack and counter attack before Hamilton finally got on the board. Adam Ryan found a yard of space and broke though the defence where he fed back inside to A Wilson for a great score close to the posts which he converted. The momentum seemed to be with the Bulls and only a trip on Inglis prevented a further score. As half time approached though PL were awarded a penalty which Hillhouse converted for a 10 – 7 lead. Hamilton responded immediately when Wilson pounced on a ball at the base of the PL ruck and ran the length of the field to score out wide. (Conversion missed) This was a lesson to all to play to the whistle. Half time Bulls 12 – PL 10
Bulls took the game to PL from the kick off and after multiple phases of accurate rucking, the ball was fed out wide where lock Coltman dived in at the corner. Wilson kicked an excellent conversion from the touch line. Bulls 19 – PL 10. After another period of huffing and puffing, Bulls had the chance to extend their lead, but Wilson’s penalty was caught by the wind and drifted wide.
Hamilton’s defence was severely tested as Pl sought to cut the lead. On 65 minutes PL were awarded a penalty on the 10 m line and Hillhouse calmly converted to bring them within one score. Bulls tried everything to extend their lead but a tap penalty led to a turnover ball and an easy exit. Plant made a great break on the wing but his inside pass went to ground. Bulls’ efforts proved to be in vain as with only a minute or so to go, PL launched a series of attacks and Bulls defence was sucked in, leaving space on the outside for Robertson to dive over. Again Hillhouse accepted the challenge and calmly slotted the extras for the win. Despite the loss there was much to admire in this display by a weakened Bulls side, and as injuries clear they can look forward to further improvement.