National League: Hawick top thanks to players and members

By GARY HEATLY
Published on 28/01/2013 00:00

HAWICK are now unbeaten in ten RBS National League matches after they defeated Kelso on Saturday, leapfrogging Watsonians at the top of the table in the process.

Club members turned up early in the morning to clear the Mansfield Park pitch of snow and the players repaid them with a dominant showing.

John Coutts continued his great run of form with another hat-trick of tries, while Scott McLeod, Kieran Willison and Neil McColm also went over as the bonus point was secured. Lee Armstrong converted three tries and added two penalties to give Hawick a 42-13 victory.

Kelso’s points came from a Michael Robertson try, a penalty try and a Murray Hastie penalty.

At Philiphaugh, Selkirk’s volunteers also did an amazing job to clear the pitch and it paid off when the team defeated Watsonians. In front of many former players who had been at a pre-match lunch, Selkirk managed to edge out the Edinburgh team with a try through Fraser Harness and a penalty from Michael McVie.

’Sonians points came from two Brian Walls penalties and they have now lost three league matches in a row. Back-row Dom Dunnett also sustained a worrying ankle injury.

The victory for Selkirk was the perfect send-off for former skipper Neil Darling, who was playing his last match for the club.

Third-placed Glasgow Hawks could not gain any ground on the top two as they saw their match at Jed-Forest called off.

At the other end of the table, Biggar got themselves a crucial away win at Hillhead/Jordanhill.

The men from Hartreemill won 13-10 at Hughenden with a Craig Russell break setting up the winning try for Hata Wilbore.

After an entertaining afternoon at Inverleith, Stewart’s Melville eventually came out on top 31-23 against Hamilton.

Shannon Durrant, Craig Marshall and Chris Damsteegt all scored tries to put Stewart’s Melville 20-6 up, but a Hamilton converted try just before the break started their revival and, with 10 minutes left, the teams were tied at 23-23.

The hosts then edged back in front 26-23 before Joni Hare completed the job and earned his side a bonus point with a late try.