Hawick Force 17 Musselburgh 2nds 24
The last game of the season brought not just sunshine in the sky but sunshine on the field as both teams served up an excellent, sparkling and bright match. These were two very evenly matched sides and play raged from end to end with only fine defending and the odd spilt pass keeping this down below a 40 point all draw. A fine crowd watched as the visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock despite playing into the strong wind. Fine cover tackling from James Delaney and Steven Mabon meant that the hosts kept it tight on the scoreboard. Musselburgh took a half time lead just before the interval with a converted try and at 7-0 down it looked like it might be tough for the young Robbie Dyes to weather the storm and gusts after the break. However, the pack were in the ascendancy with Murray Renwick making a real nuisance of himself throughout along with the industrious Reece Hartdegen ensuring that plenty ball was stolen and stuck ‘up the jumper’.
Better kicking in the second half saw the backs use their chances better and strong running from Patterson and Stanger meant that Hawick got their reward when Mabon rumbled over and his score was added to with fine running tries by Chelley and Redpath. Into the wind young maestro Cian Riddell very nearly struck all three tough conversions and the game was not won until the visitors, capitalising on being given several penalty kicks, went over for a try deep into injury time.
This was a heartily enjoyable game with plenty of guile, graft and endeavour on show ensuring that next season a year older and wiser the Force can again win this league again. Hugely impressive displays from Rab Linton and Jack Chelley had them claim joint man of the match accolades for a side that did not deserve to just fail to win.
