The wind swirled in mysterious vortexes, the rain spat and splattered and sparkling light fell on patches of darkness whilst out of the gloom emerged a thing of beauty that took time to take shape but eventually revealed itself as the Hawick equivalent of Hogwarts. Early exchanges found neither side understandably able to control the wet oval sorcerer’s stone with the Force less than sure footed playing on the unfamiliar 3G surface at the Volunteer Park. Perhaps the scene set in the eye of a storm caused by Buckbeak’s flapping wings meant that the lads took time to warm up thus allowing the Souters from Slytherin to draw first blood. As the break approached the sizeable crowd wondered if the Force could break the spell set by a Ron Weasley stand-off lookalike in blue but never doubt Finn Douglas (the Thorfinn Rowle of the boys in green) who flew past a well drilled defence to score allowing young fair haired Alastor Moody doppelganger Owain Gray to add the extras like he would do twice more amidst the thunderclaps and wailing sirens of a hauntingly unpleasant night with a conversion cry of ‘alarte ascendare’. The half time whistle was met with the scores level at 7 all and the home team scurrying to the warmth of Snape’s office, for words of wisdom from old Matt Dumbledore himself on how to concoct a potion to unravel the combative visitors’ spell.
As the sides emerged from their cauldron cupboards into the half-light of a meteorological curse for the second half Hawick’s own Hagrid in the comely shape of Ru MacLeod showed selectors why he is chapping on the door of the firsts with strong running and an ever willing pair of hands to carry the Quiddich ball forward. A quick move allowed visiting Gav Naylor to pop up where least expected Sirius Snape-like on the wing to plunge over for the lead. Quickly after that Macleod was then on the scoresheet himself ably assisted by driving work from the Force’s own Xenophilias Lovegood in his earthly shape as Murray Renwick who was as willin, and precise at the lineout as ever. James Delaney is the dependable foot soldier of Gryffindor on which much of this season has been built never complaining and just getting on with his job. He was rewarded with a deserved try. An often unsung hero like Hermione Granger Delaney formed a fine midfield partnership with Sirius Black Purvis from the North of Ireland. Gray was then on hand to break free of the clutches of Selkirk’s multi-legged Aragog defence line and scored a fine try to stretch the lead further. Selkirk’s own Peter Pettigrew scurried under the tackles of the men in green to snatch a late consolation try but it was too little too late for whenever else the visitors neared the hosts’ line the word ‘expelliarmus’ was shouted by a jackalling defender in green, who spirited away the danger to safety.
Word has to be given to the ball boys scurrying around like miniature Filius Flitwicks in appalling conditions. They deserve an elder wood wand each as just reward for a tremendous night’s work. However, the Harry Potter hero role has to be given to Grant Huggan. He cast spells all over the pitch. At times it felt like he was the only one tackling, the only one running and the only one able to beat a man . Huggan’s never-say-die attitude led the team forward throughout the game and he deservedly was crowned wizard of the match. He must have been muttering ‘expecto patronum’ under his breath all night as he saved his side form the dark arts of the opponent’s time and again. If he is as good at his day job as he is at night time rugby then there will be fields of pearly-white smiling equine Thestrals the world over.