The Win That Never Was

Knox's S3/4 team met bleary eyed, but ready for the long bus journey ahead on
Saturday morning deep into the borders to play Gala, historically one of the
strongest teams in Scotland.

As is often the case, the long trip led to a sluggish start by Knox, however,
good defending repelled initial pressure from Gala as the lads started to wake
up. Knox gradually worked their way into the game and up the pitch. From a
defensive scrum for Gala, Fred Cunningham, having his first start of the season
at scrum half, put the stand off under pressure for his kick from his own try
line. Gregor Booth picked up the clearance and was running over for the game's
first try when the referee called play back for what he deemed to be a high
tackle on the kicker. This was not going to be the first time a debatable
decision helped out the hosts.

It was an even game, but Knox had the edge in possession and territory. The
scrum was strong early on with Callum Learmonth, Andy Williams and Aarron
Thomson in the front row causing all sorts of problems for their opponents.
However, despite many breaks by Knox, Gala were adept at getting players in
straight after the tackle to steal possession and release pressure.

Knox were continuing to be baffled and frustrated by the referee's decisions and
this resulted in being marched back a further 10 yards for complaining about
another penalty decision. Gala kicked for the corner and won the line out. Knox
defended well through several phases and held their opponents out. Knox thought
they had released the pressure by winning a counter ruck on their own line only
for the referee to deem it illegal. Gala took a quick tap and squeezed over in
the corner.

Knox came back quickly from the kick off and Fraser Wright got the ball out to
Ewan Jack who was clear only for the "try" to be pulled back for another
infringement spotted by the referee. Frustration at the decision led to a
penalty against Knox which released the pressure on the home team.

First half Gala 5 Knox Academy 0

Knox brought Finn Connell on at full back and moved Alastair Macfarlane to
flanker the give the forwards a little more energy. However, from the kick off,
Gala started the stronger team and a good no.8 pick up saw them make ground down
the blind side. Knox defended for several phases, but Gala eventually broke
through for a good score.

Knox were not going to go away though and through better protection of the ball
produced some fast ball for the backs to run. They came roaring back and after
several phases of good attacking rugby were awarded a penalty which was kicked
to the corner. The forwards won the line out and Simon Duke went over the line
to touchdown. Unfortunately the referee didn't think he had a good enough view
of the grounding so didn't award it. Knox lost the attacking scrum and the
pressure was relieved by a clearance kick from Gala. More frustration.

But back Knox came and after a couple of phases of play the ball came out to
Paul Cunningham who threw a great miss pass to let James Dewar over for a well
deserved score. The try was converted and it was back to 10-7. Straight from the
kick off, Knox caught the ball and released Ewan Jack down the wing, offloaded
to James Dewar who looked like he was clear for another try only to be caught by
a last ditch tackle by the Gala defender.

The game was in the balance with only 10 minutes to go. Knox were pressing hard
and got an attacking scrum near the line. Duke picked up and was squeezed out in
the corner. Knox still had pressure, but in their next attack were turned over
and Gala broke clear. A knock on was overseen by the referee and after some good
defending from Macfarlane, Jack, Martin and Dewar, Gala eventually squeezed
over.

That try took the stuffing out of Knox and was followed by two more tries in the
last 2 minutes to give a very flattering score to the hosts.

Final score Gala 27 Knox Academy 7

Knox can be proud though as they were the stronger team for most of the game and
on another day with a little more luck, and a little less backchat to the
referee, they would have recorded an easy win. Several key forwards are due to
be available again next week which will strengthen the squad and with some new
faces appearing at training, Knox rugby at S3/4 level can hopefully look forward
to a bright season.