Boroughmuir 10-39 Glasgow Hawks: Pringle takes a pop at side's lack of pressure

BOROUGHMUIR coach Fergus Pringle has pointed to his side's inability to capitalise on their periods in the ascendancy as the key contributor to their 39-10 defeat against an impressive Glasgow Hawks side at Meggetland on Saturday.

Reflecting on a performance that featured several passages of outstanding flowing rugby but yielded only a late consolation try by Harris Jones plus five points from kicks, Pringle said: "We just didn't keep the pressure on for long enough. We kept making a mistake or turning the ball over easily and that let them relieve the pressure."

However, while the coach is aware of the work that remains to be done, he is happy with the progress his men are making towards developing a more dynamic style of rugby.

"We are trying to move the side forward and I feel we have taken a few steps forward this year but then in a couple of games we have taken a few steps back. We are working on not making so many mistakes," he added. "We expected a high intensity game with Hawks and the way they play and we contributed to that intensity of the game. We let ourselves down in the execution of some things."

The first glimpse of the visitors' impressive counter attacking skills came in nine minutes when 'Muir lost ball inside the opposition 22 and, just seconds later, two passes and some strong running had freed Kris Hamilton for the first try of the afternoon.

Mike Adamson converted then added a penalty before delivering a delicious chip for Kerr Gossman to extend the lead to 15-0 after 34 minutes. A penalty by Ally Warnock, who had a mixed day with the boot, hauled 'Muir back into the contest at the break and set the hosts up for a livelier start to the second half.

But another break by Adamson carried play from deep inside the Hawks 22 to the home half where Bart Karalus freed Craig Gossman for the try. The game was killed as a contest when Rory MacKay touched down for the bonus point.

Hawks embellished the score with further tries by Craig Gossman and Robbie Hair before Jones pounced on a loose ball ten metres from the Hawks line and raced over with Harry Leonard converting from the flank to complete the scoring.

Pringle will now switch his focus to preparing for the post-split title race. "We have set ourselves some goals but, at this stage of the season, we are just trying to take it a game at a time," he said. "We knew Hawks was going to be a big challenge.

"We obviously wanted to get into the top eight and challenge after that. It's going to be tough now because you've got a tough game every week. We will now be playing against seven good teams. It's going to be very competitive and we are going to have to be at the top of our game."

The result has bolstered the title challenge of Hawks, whose coach Peter Wright, a former Meggetland favourite, sees the progress Pringle is making in his second season at the helm.

"They have improved and they have some decent lads," he said. "They have a few young guys and they have to keep working with them. I'm an ex-Boroughmuir guy and I like to see them do well unless I'm playing against them."

Scorers:

Boroughmuir: Try: Jones. Con: Leonard. Pen: Warnock

Glasgow Hawks : Tries: Hamilton, K Gossman, C Gossman (2), Mackay, Hair

Cons: Adamson (3). Pen: Adamson

Boroughmuir: H Jones, S Johnson, M Clapperton, H Leonard, R Neil, A Warnock, R Samson, N Fraser, C Mackintosh, J Latta,G Scott, A Davidson, C Fusaro, N Rodger, D O'Riordan. Subs used: G Jones, J Duley, M Hare, J Hare, S Ruddick

Glasgow Hawks: C Gossman, J White, D Kelbrick, D Milne, K Gossman, M Adamson, K Hamilton, G Strain, A Smith, G Hunter, R Hamilton, N Campbell, G Strang, R Miller, B Karalus. Subs used: E Milligan, N Nyamba, R Mackay, T Preece, R Hair

Referee: D Walker (Irvine)