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GHA 44 Aberdeen Grammar 32
Aberdeen Grammar brought the curtain down on the year with a disappointing defeat in Glasgow where the Rubislaw side had looked like pulling off a last-gasp win only to see a breakaway try handing victory to GHA.
Five points in arrears , and camped on the home line, the visitors looked sure to tie up the scores, having dominated the closing stages of a high-scoring and entertaining game, but inexplicably lost control of the ball, allowing stand off Andrew Goudie to hack it upfield for an unlikely try.
“It was hard to take as we had been pressurising their line for ages. We deserved better but we have got to take our chances. We had the consolation of scoring four tries to gain a bonus point, and in stand off Alex Hagart had the best player on the field. He was just immense,” said Graham Barron, the Grammar president.
The Scotland under-20 number 10 was a standout in the heavy conditions at Braidholm, controlling the game with shrewd kicking, while releasing his eager young back line.
Hagart also made a huge contribution to the away team’s points tally, scoring a try and kicking three conversions and two penalties.
But not for the first time this season Grammar were let down by poor discipline, resulting in yellow cards for forwards Ali Mackie and Cammy Turner, and giving away needless penalties.
Having led 27-20 at half time Grammar eased off in the early part of the second half. Contributing only s try from winger Sean Murray, but rallied after falling behind 37-32, only to be hit with the late home effort.
Grammar’s first half scores were touched down by winger Grant Walker, Mackie and Hagart.
For the home side there were doubles for full back Andrew Gilman and Goudie, who kicked four conversions and two penalties.
Replacement Jamie Auld scored a try, while scrum half and former Garioch player Peter Jericevich had a cracking contest with his opposite number Morgan Ward.
Peter’s brother Rangi also scored a try.
“This was one that got away but it was a good performance away to the second-placed side in the league,” said Morgan.
© Jack Nixon
GHA: Andrew Gillman; Rangi Jericevich, Niall Cassie, Andrew Henderson, Euan Greer; Andrew Goudie, Peter Jericevich; Scott Carson, James Malcolm, Mike Robertson, Adam Barnett, Chris McGeogh, Donald Malcolm, Ross Angus, Alan Auld.
Replacements: Lewis Anderson, Jamie Auld, Gordon Campbell, Max MacFarlane, Euan McKirdy.
Aberdeen Grammar: Sam Knudson; Grant Walker, Doug Russell, Conor Lavery, Seam Murray; Alex Hagart, Morgan Ward; Matthias Schosser, Mike Cox, Colin Neilson; Stuart Smith, Ed Nimmons; Cameron Turner, Ali Mackie, Calum Champion.
Replacements: Fergus McKenzie, Peter Gillies, Callum Harvey, Aaron Robertson, Peceli Nacamavuto.