Stewart’s Melville 2nds 27, Hawick Force 43
The Force made the trip to the capital on Saturday and won 43-27 against Stewart’s Melville 2nds in a thoroughly entertaining game played on the old international ground at Inverleith. The game was played in Spring like conditions and this 10 try extravaganza certainly gave the crowd plenty to shout about.
It was the home side who opened the scoring with a try but Force centre Aaron Redpath scored soon after with Kyle Bruton landing the conversion. With the game being played at a fast pace Stew Mel scored and converted before Redpath got a yellow card for a high tackle. Shortly after he returned to the field it was hooker Corey Tait who plunged over for a try from close range again converted by Brunton. Just before half time Stew Mel got their third try to give them a 17-14 lead at the break.
It didn’t take long for the Force to show their intention in the second half with full back James Delaney scoring an excellent try from half way with Brunton converting and adding a penalty goal before the home side kicked a penalty to make the score 24-20 to the visitors. The Force extended the lead with player/coach David Lowrie showing his experience to score his side’s fourth try. Again, the home side came back and added their fourth try and conversion to narrow the score to 27-29. The Force finished strongly with Kyle Brunton showing good skills and scrum half Deaglan Lightfoot, who darted from a tap penalty, scoring tries both converted by Brunton to finish the scoring.
All in all a good performance from the Force with forwards Mabon, Renwick, Tait and Huggan deserving a special mention. A highlight of the day saw past President and touch judge for the Force, 58-year-old, Rory Bannerman, take the field and he managed to last 2 minutes at the end of the game.
