Striling County 27 - Hawick 25
Oct
With Hawick and Stirling County sitting at eighth and ninth places in the league on equal points before this match, the result would have a big say in who would remain in the top eight at the end of part one of this season's league campaign. Overall there was very little between the two teams and a keenly fought contest was in prospect. A good turn out of travelling support made the trip up to Bridgehaugh along with a sizeable and vocal home support.
Stirling set out their stall right from the first whistle and had Hawick on the back foot. A couple of penalties and a dropped goal gave Stirling a nine point lead. Hawick then came more into the match and following good work from the forwards, the ball found Graham Hogg who gave the scoring pass to brother Stuart to get Hawick off the mark. Hawick kept up the pressure which saw professional Alex Dunbar romp in at the posts with Rory Hutton converting to give Hawick a deserved 12-9 lead. Some slack tackling by the visitors gifted Stirling a try just before the break and a half time lead of 14-12.
Hawick's task in the second half was now made all the more difficult with Stuart Hogg sidelined with an ankle injury. The lead changed hands four times with both teams slotting two penalties each, Hawick's efforts being converted by Neil Renwick. With Stirling leading by two points at 20-18, Rory Hutton had his clearance kick charged down and Stirling again took full advantage with a converted try and a lead of 27-18. The referee's patience at long last ran out with Stirling's repeated penalties and the home side had two players yellow carded. With time running out, Hawick threw everything at Stirling and David Lowrie forced himself over the line for a try which again Renwick converted. In the final seconds of play Hawick were awarded a penalty near the halfway line which they chose to take a quick tap and go instead of perhaps kicking to the corner and securing the lineout against a Stirling team down to thirteen men. However, regretfully Hawick lost possession and the referee blew for no side and yet again a narrow defeat by 27 points to 25 and another losing bonus point.
Team:- 15.Graham Hogg, 14. Neil Renwick, 13. Stuart Hogg, 12. Alex Dunbar, 11. Greg Anderson, 10. Rory Hutton, 9. Greg Cottrell, 1. Alastair Marsh, 2. Lindsey Gibson, 3. Sean Linton, 4. Michael Robertson, 5. Craig Charters, 6. David Lowrie, 7. Bruce McNeil (Capt), 8. Danny Landels.
Replacements:- 16. Gary Johnstone, 17. Michael Graham, 18. Nick McTaggart, 19. Keith Davies, 20. Hue Scammell.
