A kick, a kick, my kingdom for a kick, was the refrain from a packed Poynder Park last Friday night as the Hawick youngsters won in every department on the pitch, except off the kicking tee. This was a fine performance by the boys who were the better side, on a sweltering night, but just couldn’t put the match to bed in time.
With blindside flanker unfilled until 5 minutes before kick-off Hawick teams of old would have called up man mountains like Sean McGaughey, Dog Scott or Donnie McLeod but none could have filled the shirt on a hot night better than flame haired Justin Tait. Tait really was a revelation, 6 stone wet through (with sweat) he plundered and fought all night, never taking a backward step. That show of passion is what the Force is all about.
The team were boosted, just before kick-off, to see flapping addict Murray Renwick gallop onto the pitch bringing Donegal resident Dermot Callaghan (better known for building a wall down our riverside) with him. Indeed, Dermot had no boots so ex Hawick RFC giant Keith McNeill loaned his size 15s to the Irishman (a deal brokered through Keith’s agent brother Bruce who skimmed his 10% first) and Dermot went on to play as assuredly as fellow Donegal man Packie Bonnar did in goals for the Celtic.
The Force opened the scoring early when slick handling, deft kicking and some acrobatics from the backs saw Eli Hamilton dive over for a try. Although the hosts hit back with a couple of tries themselves the Force captain Sam Frizzell drove over for a try early in the second half to level things up. The Greens front row gave absolutely everything and all 3 deserve credit but young Fergus Bell was outstanding in the loose, roared on by a coach full of his very own supporters club. Hawick thought they had gained a deserved victory late on with another well worked try where brilliant all round work from Sean Goodfellow led the lads onwards, probing, darting and harrying.
However, with the scores level and 2 minutes to go the boys in green thought they had won the game when they crossed the whitewash after great work by Deaglan Lightfoot. However, the referee alone spotted crossing and disallowed what looked like a fine try from the writer’s position 60 yards away through the ruck of bodies. With the last play of the game, and the Force camped on Kelso’s line, the hosts broke away downfield. Again, the main official adjudged Kelso’s play to be legal, despite contrary opinion, and they scampered under the posts to win the match in the last seconds.
Though depressed at the final score coach Landels was buoyed by finding new positions for players like James Delaney who made several fine breaks from centre showing us all his versatility, none more impressed than dad Tony who has done so much for the club to form the new Border Junior League. Both the youthful, promising and skilful Hughie Donaldson and his captain must be knocking on coach Douglas’ first team selection door imminently.
However, man of the match, head and shoulders above anyone else on either side was young Eli Hamilton. This lad reminded some of a young Stuart Hogg with fearless tackling, intelligent kicking and break after break using his electric pace. He is destined for great things in the Robbie Dye jersey.
