Salute wi’ me the men in green
What a triumph their’s has been
Hail the mighty Green Machine
Which brought us victory
We did it! The Cup is in the Mansfield Park trophy cabinet alongside the Premiership trophy. Undefeated all season. What an incredible achievement! As Hawick President words cannot fully express my pride in the players and coaches. A huge thank you to the Robbie Dyes who have given the team such great support all season and again at Murrayfield on Saturday – ten buses plus umpteen cars, not far short of a thousand Teries “wasting a day oot o Hawick” and exiles all over the world cheering as they watched the livestream. No-one can underestimate the contribution of the “16th man/woman” – not forgetting the sound of the fifes which lifted everyone’s spirits. The fans cheered the boys off the bus on their arrival and once the game started the flags and banners fluttered in the rain which did not dampen those clad in green and white who outcheered the Marr contingent. The mascot and ball boys and the guard of honour all played their part on a day they will never forget. The encouraging support meant a great deal to the boys, a band of brothers who have done themselves, their families and the whole town proud this memorable season. The team were “a’ Hawick men, every yin o thum Hawick men” with only two exceptions. Matty Carryer, has been a stalwart for the Club for the last six years and played his last game in a green jersey at Murrayfield. What a way to go out, lifting the Cup as the proud Captain. We will miss his whole-hearted commitment to the Teri cause. Ethan Reilly who returned to Australia this week has been a vital piece in the jigsaw. He has had the time of his life and made friendships that will last forever. We wish him well in his future rugby career. There was of course another important happening in the Grey Auld Toon on Saturday and the rugby boys rallied roond oor Cornet before boarding the team bus, the Cornet who had sent a very emotive message to the team on Saturday morning which meant so much to them. Both riders and team wished each other Safe Oot, Safe In – the Hawick community at one. The scenes after the presentation will live with those privileged to be there forever – to see the precious Bill McLaren Shield still safely in our grasp as well as the Cup. The team were welcomed back to Mansfield at night to the strains of “We are the champions”. Celebrations went on long into the night and continued the following day in the sunshine when all the players, their wives, girlfriends and children joined many supporters to attend a most successful Minis tournament, Captains Matty and Shawn handing over the trophies and medals. The team had their photo taken with the Hawick Minis, some of whom will hopefully go on to emulate this season’s invincible heroes. Thus ended a weekend which will go down in not just the Club but the town’s history. As for me, in the words of the late Ronnie Tait “If A’d been ony happier A couldna hev stood eet”!
