Glasgow Hawks 14 - Heriot’s 46: Matt Smith is red-carded

Scotland Under-20 cap Matt Smith was red-carded as Heriot’s put Hawks to the sword.

Hawks’ Smith, yellow-carded in the first half for side entry at a ruck, was shown a second yellow, followed by a red, by referee Ben Blain, following a spot of handbags seven minutes from time.

With their big pack rampant, and skipper Iain Wilson giving what Heriot’s head coach Phil Smith hailed as, “a real captain’s lead,” the young Hawks learned a harsh lesson of how difficult this league can be. But they had their moments before the wheels came off their bogie after the turn-round.

Rory Carmichael put the visitors ahead with an unconverted try, but Mark New replied for Hawks, with Liam Brims converting. Tries from Ruaridh Leishman and Callum Marshall – both converted by Ross Jones – put Heriot’s 19-7 ahead but, just before the break, Lewis Skinner barged over for Hawks, Glen Faulds converted and it was 14-19 at the change-over.

A Jones penalty, then tries from skipper Wilson and Andrew Simmers – both converted by Jones – put Heriot’s firmly in command after the hour, then, after Smith’s departure, Jones kicked another penalty and scored, then converted a sixth Heriot’s try in the final minute.