December 01, 2024
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Hawick vs Accies
After an enforced layoff last week, the Arnold Clark Premiership got back on track yesterday, and the Greens didn’t disappoint as they ran out winners over a determined Edinburgh Accies team by
22-15. With both teams initially appearing a little rusty, following 3 weeks without a game, the first quarter didn’t ‘set the heather alight’, but it was the visitors who were first onto the scoreboard with a penalty.
Hawick had lost influential fullback Kirk Ford to an ankle injury, sustained early in the game when landing awkwardly after taking a high ball, so an enforced reshuffle ensued with Ronan McKean coming on to the wing, and Charlie Welsh slotting in at #15.
The game finally sparked into life following a clever break by Greens centre Lee Armstrong, taken on into the visitors 22 by the ever present Logan Henry. When the scrum half’s pass off the deck went down, an Accies defender was adjudged to have tackled Andrew Mitchell without the ball, and was given a 10 minute break 📒by the referee.
From the next attack, an excellent long miss pass from Henry found McKean in space, and the big winger dotted down for a try in the corner superbly converted by Kyle Brunton to make the score 7-3. Hawick then suffered another injury blow to #8 Jae Linton, who damaged a knee following an untidy scrum. The pack reshuffle saw the returning Connor Sutherland drop into number 8 with Gareth Welsh coming into the back row for his 100th appearance for the Greens. The Hawick stand off Kyle Brunton, was on target once more from the tee before halftime, when the Accies transgressed, to give the Greens a 10-3 lead at the half.
Hawick started the second half playing into the elements, but with far more purpose with their big ball carriers beginning to impress. Their second try was a thing of beauty as firstly the forwards repeatedly picked and drove deep into the Accies 22, sapping the visitors strength, before quick ball was fed to Lee Armstrong whose deft little grubber kick in behind the onrushing defence was pounced upon under the sticks by Andrew Mitchell. The try being converted by Kyle Brunton for a 17-3 lead.
Accies to their credit worked their way back into the Hawick half and some smart work down the blindside saw fullback Chalmers race in the try, which was converted to make the score 17-10.
Although a nervy period for the Greens faithful, the players rested back the initiative and working the ball swiftly back and forth, the forwards carried strongly, until slick inter passing down the right by Charlie Welsh and Matt Reid, gave Gareth Welsh sight of the line and he took his opportunity well. With Brunton just wide with his touchline conversion attempt the score sat at 22-10.
Accies then threw everything into attack, recycling ball quickly and probing for an opening, however the Greens defence was well organised and formidable, and as the clock wound down they made the game safe. Although Accies did manage a second try with the last play of the game to make the final score 22-15 and secure a losing bonus point, the Greens will be delighted with the resolve and determination they showed throughout this contest. Their second half performance being epitomised by two fantastic scrums in-front of their posts late on when the Hawick pack buckled the Accies scrum.
Next week the Greens will head West to face Marr at Fullerton in another important fixture for both sides.