Arnold Clark Premiership Round 2 – Hawick 51 – 13 Marr

Hawick vs Marr 1 - The Greens welcomed Marr to Mansfield Park on Saturday, with the men from Troon having recorded a convincing victory in week 1 of the Premiership against Selkirk.

However having underperformed by their own admission against Edinburgh Accies last week Hawick were out to put down a marker and chalk up their first win of the new campaign, and ultimately they did that in style running out winners by 51-13, scoring 7 tries in the process.

Prior to the kick off, a minutes silence was observed following the tragic passing on Thursday of former Greens scrum half, and ex Hawick Cornet Craig Rodgerson.

Dodger to his many friends was well known at Mansfield Park and throughout the wider Hawick community, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his young son Hector and his family, at this desperately sad time. Rest in peace Craig.🏉💚

The match started at a furious pace and there were in early handling errors by both teams, however early penalties by Kirk Ford settled the Hawick nerves before a fine opening try by Ronan McKean after a lovely slip,pass by Andrew Mitchell. Marr due closer through the boot of Colin Sturgeon however just before half-time a lovely break by Kirk Ford, saw Nicky Little on hand to take play up to the Marr 22 where he released scrum half Logan Henry to dart in under the sticks. Ford duly converted for a halftime lead for the Greens of 18-6.

The second half saw Hawick move up a gear as the physicality of their forwards and the line speed of their backs started to punch holes in the Marr defence. Further tries by Ronan McKean (after great work down the blind by Charlie Welsh), and Lee Armstrong who was unselfishly put in by his centre partner Andrew Mitchell stretched the Hawick lead out to 32-6.

To their credit Marr kept tackling and pressing in attack but the Hawick defence remained resolute. The Troon outfit did gain reward for their endeavours when the ever present Scott Bickerstaff danced in for a try after a break by captain Grant Baird, however Hawick went into overdrive for the last ten minutes, when scrum-half Hector Patterson picked up three tries, the first after a beautiful slip pass by Shawn Muir to Murray Renwick send the big lock galloping down the park, before judging his pass to Patterson to perfection. The second saw Gareth Welsh work the space to once again find Patterson on his shoulder, and the final score saw Patterson fox the Marr defence, as he looked to pass and feinted right to dot down.

Final score Hawick 51-13 Marr.

In what was a very pleasing and deserved victory, the players and coaches will still feel they have things to work on, so all roads will lead to Mansfield Haugh on Tuesday evening for analysis and training, ahead of what will be a tremendous challenge next week as Hawick entertain a ‘super’ strong Heriots, with the annually contested ‘Norman Suddon Memorial Shield’ to be awarded to the winners.