Kelso Sharks 0 Hawick Force 17
Make no mistake the only feet complaining of this Cup Final whitewash by the men in green are the Annual Dinner top table legs which will be groaning under the weight of silverware.
This was a stellar performance from the stars of the future as this proud Force team put their previously unbeaten opponents to the sword in best reiving tradition.
At the heart of so much of this team performance were three young men from Clan Armstrong country south of the Mosspaul tunnel.
Tom Hope is a bull with the hands of an angel, Hughie Donaldson breenged and battered all night long, and brother Bailey earned his morning bacon roll from coach Matt with some sumptuous kicking.
Right from the first whistle the Force lads showed their mettle prancing through their hosts’ defence with clever runs by wingers McMichan and Delaney. However it was the forwards who created this victory with strong carrying and powerful scrummaging, with Jordan White proving the Cup final was what he was made for.
In the lineout, used with skill when supporters were wrongly calling for a penalty goal, ball was milked by the salmon like leap of Murray Renwick securing ball for Hope to drive over for the first half’s only points converted by Bailey Donaldson.
The cold smirr of the elements continued into the second forty but it did not dampen the Force’s willingness to run with the ball and chase down their opponents on the odd occasion that they had it.
Glen Welsh did everything right, he broke tackles and made tackles, ran hard and defended harder, he is such a club asset. Cian Riddell was as composed as ever, Justin Tait looks six stone but he is never put off by bigger opponents or conditions and his clever ball use meant that the ginger ninja pairing of centres were a constant threat.
With ten to go a brilliant cross kick by Square One’s number one playmaker allowed the fastest winger in Hawick, Fin Douglas, to score in the corner.
Though the trophy was within grasp now, it was assured with two minutes to go as Aidan ‘the uncle’ Fairbairn flopped over for his latest try in green. Rest assured it won’t be his last. It was then off to collect the cup that Captain Sam Frizzel climbed.
The Huggans were both immense, the younger Linton was everywhere as ever, Comley teased and tormented the Kelsae lads and Stanger looked a constant threat.
The final whistle brought jubilation from the players and the visiting crowd were ecstatic by the end.
Man of the match would probably go to young Marcus Brogan who was combative and brave throughout despite looking like he had gone 10 rounds with Antony Joshua by the end. He has learned a lot from his big brother.
Over the season there have been many fine performances and though sidelined for the final, Liam ‘Henrik’ Graham and Keith ‘the lamb’ Davies will be back for more next season.
However the man for all seasons is Sam Frizzel, a man who leads by example, and who captains with courage, intelligence and with bravery, the Force’s very own Watt the Drummer.
