GREENOCK Wanderers’ efforts to record their second win of the season over Hamilton in the RBS Championship League Division ‘A’ fell just short at Fort Matilda on Saturday as the Bulls’ early 17-point advantage proved too much to overcome.

It was very much a game of two halves as the visitors dominated the first period but Wanderers came roaring back in the second with some high-tempo attacking rugby, in an absorbing contest that thrilled a large home and travelling support.

For Wanderers’ skipper Brendan McGroarty inspired the comeback and he was ably assisted by his entire team who showed great appetite for the fray.

In particular, Alan McMichael, Callum Robb and Ryan McGhee caught the eye up front and McGroarty, Leigh Tyley and Andy McDougall showed great industry behind the scrum.

Hamilton got the scoreboard ticking over in the second minute when Owen McLeish knocked over a penalty after the Greenock forwards prevented fair release at the breakdown.

Straight from the restart, Wanderers’ Leigh Tyley found himself in space and his powerful run to the line produced what most spectators felt was a fine try.

Referee Iain Morrison had other thoughts though and he chalked off the score, adjudging that the Wanderers fly-half had used a double movement to stretch across the line and ground the ball.

Thereafter Hamilton settled into their pattern of play and asked serious questions of the Greenock defence.

On 20 minutes a sweeping backs move from the visitors saw Hamilton full-back Andy Wilson enter the line and he cut through the Wanderers rearguard to touch down in the corner. McLeish converted to stretch the lead to 10-0.

Five minutes later and the Lanarkshire side repeated the dose.

This time the play was spread to the left flank and winger Ross Inglis blasted over for the try.

McLeish added the conversion points to increase the advantage to 17.

Wanderers looked shell-shocked but skipper McGroarty rallied his troops and they eventually gained a foothold in Hamilton territory.

On the half-hour mark prop Ryan McGhee made a spirited charge down the right flank and when he was halted 20 metres out the quickly recycled ball was moved by McDougall to his captain and McGroarty smashed through the cover defence to touch down.

Kicker Kieren Smith obliged from the tee to reduce the deficit to 17-7 at the interval.

The second period was an excellent advert for the Scottish club game with some exhilarating end to end rugby on show.

Wanderers were first to add to their account when Matt Gray soared to secure quality lineout ball close to the visitors’ line.

The text book drive came on and the touchdown followed from Robb after the visitors were shunted over their own goal line.

Smith once more slotted from the tee to reduce the margin to only three points.

Hamilton countered on 50 minutes when they went through the phases and having stretched the Wanderers’ defence second-row Jerry McKee was left with the task of barging over from close range.

McLeish’s conversion restored the 10-point lead. Moments later Greenock lock-forward Gray had to withdraw after an accidental clash of heads led to concussion and his departure seriously dented Wanderers hopes of salvaging the match.

Kieren Smith though gave Wanderers hope on the hour mark when he slotted a long-range penalty effort to reduce the deficit to 24-17, after the visitors had strayed offside at the breakdown.

On 63 minutes more Hamilton pressure forced Wanderers back inside their own 22-metre line and when the ball was released to the backs McLeish picked a fine line through the Wanderers defence to dot down under the posts. His conversion stretched the lead to 31-17.

Worse followed five minutes later when former Wanderer Yan Young hooked one against the head in the scrum and when the visitors spread the play captain Craig Inglis kicked ahead then won the race for the touchdown. McLeish’s master class with the boot continued and his conversion extended the lead to 38-17.

Wanderers’ stuck to their task and on 74 minutes a fine break by McMichael made ground through the centre channel and when halted close to the line he passed to McGroarty who breezed over for the try.

Smith’s conversion narrowed the gap to 38-24.

In the final moments of the game scorer turned provider this time when McGroarty blasted through the centre channel and when snared close to the line Gregor Fletcher was on hand to take the pass and touchdown to complete the scoring.

Wanderers resume their Scottish Cup campaign on Saturday when Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians visit Fort Matilda.

Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments.