Barrett lays foundations but GHK solid as houses

the deficit to 10-6 with 11 minutes left at Old Anniesland, West of

Scotland threatened to record their first win over the amalgamated GHK

in national league play.

Shortly afterwards, West worked a spoof tap free kick off a four-man

wall for Barrett to sizzle up the tight side, only for his pass off the

left-hand to float wide of that ample citizen David Riding at full

throttle. A try then could have presented GHK with a formidable mountain

to climb against the freshening breeze, but to their credit they

finished strongly for the safety of their second try.

Even though he was a prime target, Barrett looked a class act behind a

West pack who scrummage impressively and matched their rivals in most

phases, except in the standing off drive play in which Fergus Wallace,

Walter Malcolm, and Craig Brown revelled.

Each side achieved their most effective lineout return against the

wind, the 19-year-old Guy Perrett prospering in the first half, Ken

Wilson in the second, and Alan Watt taking a significant lineout role

after the break, although appearing in some scrummage discomfort against

the man mountain that is Sandy Crearer.

Having lost the experience of the unlucky Fraser Stott on Saturday

morning with back muscle strain, West then lost linkage rhythm with the

departure soon after half-time of Canadian Ken Siems, but there were

signs of developing talent from the adventurous Mark Craig and David

McKee set a sound tackle example.

McKee made one vital torpedoing of Peter Manning, whose supply of ball

to run must have been the envy of his opposite number Riding, who,

nicknamed ''Inga'' with the build of Tuigamala, surprisingly was

confined to starvation rations.

Cameron Little adjusted his linkage passes with sure touch, George

Breckenridge gained huge tracts with heaving punting and Harry Bassi was

an influential figure, secure in orthodox chores and with a role in both

tries.

Steve Hirini, who missed with four goal kicks, had opened the GHK

account with a penalty goal for going over, then converted a Gerry

Hawkes try after Bassi made a breach and on quick breakdown redelivery

Breckenridge created a clear overlap for Hawkes.

The clinching score was a forwards affair underlining an area of GHK's

strength. Bassi's searching punt to a close touch brought GHK the throw

which Watt won for Wallace to sweep and secure. Gordon McIlwham then

rumbled into the West panic area and Little shipped to Wallace.

When he posted out of the tackle the New Zealand Scot, Brown, drove

low and hard to the line. Bassi converted to top his own impressive

display.

GHK -- H S Bassi; G F Hawkes, T J Sanderson, S M Hirini, P S Manning;

G M Breckenridge, C E Little; A G J Watt, G L Peterson, G R McIlwham, K

A Wilson, D J Mellor, F D Wallace, W H Malcolm, C S Brown.

West of Scotland -- A Williamson; D F Riding, K Siems, D R McKee, M J

A Craig; D N Barrett, B Service; I A Cochrane, G C Bulloch, A Crearer, S

G McKechnie, G C Perrett, S J Campbell, D A McVey, J D Shaw. Replacement

-- D McInnes for Siems (53min.).

Referee -- G Black (Ireland).

* ENGLAND players yesterday welcomed a further relaxation of their

money-earning rules by the Rugby Union which now enables them to cash in

for promoting the game.

Rugby Union secretary Dudley Wood said: ''A working party of England

squad members and the management will explore ways in which they can be

paid for promotional activities.''

Rob Andrew, who has been one of England's prominent negotiators since

the Run With The Ball campaign was begun before the last World Cup,

said: ''It's a good step forward -- exactly what we have been looking

for.''