President’s Report from AGM

It all began when our seven were victorious in our own Festival of Rugby in August.

We were given a reality check when in our first home game we disappointingly drew with Selkirk, a result which cost us the Border League and what could have been the treble. However, the boys from Philiphaugh turned out to be the only team not to lose to us all season.

I’m not going to give you a blow-by-blow account of the season. Matty will give his view on that in a wee bit. However, I will say, having had some serious health issues this year that I’m glad it wasn’t my heart that was the problem in the frenetic last minutes of the Premiership final when it looked as if Currie were going to spoil our party but up stepped super Ronan to save the day. Then although the S.R.U didn’t treat us well at Murrayfield on Cup Final day we brought the trophy home to Mansfield for the first time since 2002.

One thing I would like to do is pay tribute to Matt Carryer who is returning to his home club of Peebles. He has been a great servant of the Hawick club since his arrival in 2017. With Fraser and Ross returning from Super Six the Club were spoiled for choice in the front row which meant that Matt although Club captain often had to be on the bench or in the Force. A lesser man might have disappeared into the sunset but not Matt and everybody at the Club admires him greatly for that. When coming off the bench he on every occasion made a huge impact and he was a greatly valued member of the squad. We wish him well.

I’d also like to single out our Australian import Ethan Riley, who turned out to be a vital piece in the jigsaw. A lovely lad who fitted in very well with our band of brothers. We also wish him well with his future rugby career.

The Force have had a frustrating season with games being called off. However, a Borders Reserve League has been formed for next season which will greatly improve the situation. It’s hoped that some of these games will be played on Friday nights or in midweek so this will give members the chance to support both our teams. I congratulate the Force on triumphing at Poynder Park beating Kelso to win the Borders Reserve League Cup, a great achievement.

I’d like to say a big thank you to our Club Doctor Morag and the other members of our medical team. By and large we were fortunate for injuries this season but they played a vital role in getting fifteen fit boys onto the field every Saturday.

Off the field a lot of work was done by the Feasibility Study sub-committee ably led by Vice President Malcolm. Some exciting ideas to develop the ground, stand and clubrooms were debated long and hard but it was eventually reluctantly agreed that to try to bring them to fruition in the current unsettled economic climate was going to seriously endanger the club financially so we had to step back. However, grants from the S.R.U have helped us replace our floodlights which were no longer fit for purpose and work has been done and is ongoing under the stand to improve the changing rooms.

One off field highlight was when Club captain Matty flanked by vice captains Shawn Muir and Andrew Mitchell, impeccably turned out in their club jerseys, laid a wreath on behalf of the Club at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday in memory of the many Hawick players who paid the supreme sacrifice and who lie now far from Mansfield Park.

Congratulations go as ever to our five internationalists, Stuart, Rory, Darcy, Lisa and Lana who again this season have done their home town proud. Stuart’s hundred caps is a massive achievement and we wish him well in his retirement.

I’d like to thank all our sponsors and the Green Room who are great supporters of the Club and we are very grateful for the financial donation they make every season.

The Club are indebted to our Clubhouse duo, Debbie who unfailingly continues to conjure up culinary delights and Lindsey who quietly and efficiently keeps us well watered. Never forget that their reputation for excellence attracts weddings and functions to Mansfield bringing in much needed revenue without which the club would struggle to continue.

I’d like to say a big thank you to the hard-working committee and the many sub-committees for all they have done and continue to do. A personal thank you in particular to Vice President Malcolm who has been a tower of strength as my right-hand man.

In June the Convenor of Scottish Borders Council, Provost Watson McAteer hosted a Civic Reception to mark the Club’s remarkable double winning season. This is an honour that was greatly appreciated be everybody at Mansfield.

I’m going to end this report by using the same remarks that I used to conclude my speech on that occasion.

There’s a recently published book called “Dark Blue Blood – Scottish Rugby in the black and white era”. It’s primarily a book of photographs but it has this to say “Hawick are the big boys. They are the powerhouse that lies within the Border heartland of Scottish rugby. They have the history. they have the tradition; the donning of a dark green jersey is regarded as a huge honour. Other teams measure themselves against the Club they call “the Green Machine”. The town of Hawick is Scotland’s rugby capital.

For a good few years we haven’t been the powerhouse but we certainly have been in this memorable season of 2022-2023 when to use a line from Teribus

“Scotia’s boast was Hawick callants”

A’ season long throweoot the side

What sae often turned the tide

It was the passion and the pride

That won the victory

Let’s honour then the men in green

For Hawick this year their all they’ve gien

Restored the glory that has been

And won the victory

Salute wi’ me the men in green

What a triumph theirs has been

Hail the mighty Green Machine

Whae brought us victory