Arnold Clark Mens Premiership – Hawick 27 – 22 Selkirk

Hawick 27 - 22 Selkirk
The Greens backed up their bonus point win at Stoneyhill last week, with a hard earned 5 point haul against in form Border rivals Selkirk at Mansfield Park yesterday, ultimately running out 27-22 victors.

In a first half, with the weather ranging from sublime sunshine to a ridiculous hail storm, following an early converted score from the visitors, Hawick immediately struck back through Fraser Renwick as the hooker powered over from a fine driving maul, Kirk Ford’s conversion attempt sliding past the post to leave the score at 5-7.

With the Hawick pack solid and assertive in the scrum and winning a steady supply of good clean ball in the line-out, the Greens were enjoying the lions share of possession at this stage, and when scrum half Logan Henry made an incisive break from the base, Andrew Mitchell was on hand to run a terrific line and break through the Selkirk defence to score the try, Kirk Ford converting to make it 12-7.

From an interception in midfield, deep in the Selkirk half, the visitors broke down the field, however with a tackle that epitomised the Greens determination on the day, Charlie Welsh chased back to put in a tremendous last ditch tackle, and the cover defence managed to clear the danger, Hawick retaining the lead as the half-time whistle blew. The second half saw the Hawick pack pick up where they left off causing Selkirk difficulty at ever turn, and with good defence halting the forays Selkirk did have, the Greens pressed for their next score. This duly came from Andrew Mitchell, who after great work by the forwards recycling the ball through numerous phases, crossed the whitewash wide on right for Hawick’s 3rd try, and his 7th of the season. Ford’s conversion although on line dipped under the bar leaving the score at 17-7.

Selkirk to their credit came back at the hosts and scored their second try of the match leaving the score at 17-12.

Hawick regrouped and once again drove their way down the park, then working at pace they switched play back and forth until ultimately, spotting the opening, Brunton fed the ball out for Kirk Ford to take the pass and punch through the defence for the bonus point try.. His superb touchline conversion and a long range penalty soon after gave the Greens some breathing space at 27-12. However Border Derby’s are never over until the final whistle and if Hawick felt they were safe, Selkirk had other ideas as their forward barrelling over for their third try, which was closely followed by hooker Corey Tait finding a way over the line, to score his and the visitors fourth try of the day, taking the score to 27-22.

The Greens faithful were on the edge of their seats now, and although Selkirk did what they could, Hawick were able to see out the final few minutes for the win.

Doubtless the Hawick coaches and indeed the players will be disappointed to have let their 27-12 lead skip, however there was much to praise in this performance, especially with the progress, desire and maturity of the younger members of the Greens pack who are stepping up and growing more into the jersey every week.

Next week sees Hawick head west to face a difficult to predict Glasgow Hawks side. However the Greens will work hard again this week and focus on what they can control, and improve upon it.🏉💚