Hawick 23 - Peebles 9
Jan
With the passing of Bill McLaren, this week marked a very sad episode for
the town of Hawick and indeed the entire rugby fraternity. A well deserved
one minute hand clap was held by the spectators and players prior to the
kick off. The YM and their opponents, Waysiders Drumpellier, also lined up
on the banking to join in the mark of respect which would be echoed around
many other rugby grounds around the country.
This was the home first league match for over a month, the last being
against Aberdeen Grammar away back on the 12th December, with the fixture
lists being all but wiped out due to the severe wintry weather of late. The
coaches and players were keen to get the promotion race back on track after
the defeat at Netherdale.
Biggar were three points up in as many minutes with a penalty but Hawick
did not let this unsettle them. Some spirited play by both backs and
forwards failed to yield any points. The pressure finally told when John
Coutts intercepted a pass on the twenty two and strolled in under the posts
for a try which Graham Hogg converted for a 7-3 lead. A Hogg penalty
increased Hawick's lead followed by something of a rarity these days, a drop
goal, by John Coutts which gave Hawick a 13 points to 3 advantage. Good work
by the forwards saw Neil Renwick make the initial break who off loaded to
Bruce McNeil who crash over for Hawick's second try, again converted by
Graham Hogg. The score remained at 20 points to 9 until half time.
Biggar started the second half a different team that seemed to catch Hawick
off guard. Only good Hawick defence kept the visitors out and all that
Biggar could show for their efforts were two penalties to reduce Hawick's
lead to 20-9. The match then descended into a very scrappy affair, not
helped by some strange refereeing decisions. A late Hogg penalty saw Hawick
complete the double over Biggar and emerge winners by 23 points to 9.
Team:- 1. Ali Marsh, 2. Hue Scammell, 3. Sean Linton, 4. Keiron Willison, 5.
Craig Charters, 6. Ross Gibson, 7. David Lowrie, 8. Bruce McNeil, 9. Kevin
Reid, 10. Dean McCracken, 11. Lee Armstrong, 12. Graham Hogg, 13. John
Coutts, 14. Michael Graham, 15. Gary Johnstone
16. Neil Renwick, 17. Garry Douglas, 18. Keith Davies, 19. Matt Landels
