National League: Victories keep hopes alive for bottom two

By GARY HEATLY
Published on 18/02/2013 01:36

BOTH the bottom two sides recorded victories on Saturday as the league continued to throw up twists and turns.

Jed-Forest went to Riverside Park knowing that victory over Selkirk was vital if they had hopes of staying in this division next term. The players took to the task well, with Nua Fono-Hunt the hero with a converted try late on to see them win 23-17.

The Kiwi had earlier scored another try, while Lewis Young also went over, but they went into the closing stages a point down before the late drama.

Jed are now 11 adrift of Hamilton in eighth and Biggar are seven points behind them after turning on the style to see off Watsonians 35-10 at Hartreemill.

The Wilbore twins, Amo and Hata, were in top form, while Iain Renwick and Craig Russell were among the tries in their bonus point victory.

Watsonians’ loss was their fifth in a row in the league and all but ended any hopes of a top-two finish. That is because those top two spots will likely be filled by Hawick and Glasgow Hawks after they both won on Saturday.

Leaders Hawick were victorious 49-21 at Hamilton with Lee Armstrong scoring two tries. John Coutts, Graham Hogg, Gary Johnstone and David Lowrie also crossed, with David Sutherland, Craig Inglis and John Selfridge bagging Hamilton’s tries.

At Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks welcomed Stuart’s Melville. The hosts led 19-3 at the break with tries from Rory McKay, David Milne and Ally Maxwell and before the hour mark the bonus point try had arrived through Andy White. The visitors rallied, but Hawks came out 26-15 winners.

Kelso defeated Hillhead/Jordanhill 48-17 at Poynder Park to all but make them safe from the drop. The home side came out flying and built up a 29-3 half-time lead and they never looked back, with seven tries in all.