Normal service was resumed this week at Mansfield Haugh, the Force won a classy encounter worthy of a National League 1 level fixture.
The team had a huge boost with the return of Messrs Renwick, MacLeod, Linton (R) and Donaldson (B) to gain a full 80 minutes of rugby, and the crowd was swollen with those expectantly awaiting the long overdue return to rugby of two of Hawick’s best talents of the last 15 years in Sean Linton and Lee Armstrong. Heriots were sharper out of the blocks and quickly went 7 nil up with a try that made the most of a their early organisational and lineout superiority. However, the Bailey supporters club were delighted to see him slot tough penalties, leaving the Greens trailing only just a fraction at half time.
David Cranston and Eddie Brogan deserve huge credit for providing a pitch and surrounds that allowed both sides to play quick, attractive rugby in a largely end to end encounter. The second half was almost all Force pressure, with the home-grown talents of Comley, young, Douglas and Delaney really setting the hearts racing with exciting, swift attacking play. The Force scored two lung bursting tries through Renwick and Linton as the forwards got on top, with Donaldson adding some extras.
However, it was the defensive bravery of the likes of Harris Brogan and Murray Renwick that won the day with the visitors being denied repeatedly in a heavy late onslaught. These young lads, with a welcome mix of older heads, played as well as anyone in the firsts, exemplified from the front by Sam Frizzel but it was undoubtedly Mathew Huggan who won the ‘man of the match’ accolade with a quite magnificent, hard and accomplished performance. This was a game of the highest standard, now the task is to keep the standard going, and with the talent on show the only way is up.