Hawick 22 - 36 Ayr: Fine nine try opener shows both team in fighting light

Cup-holders Ayr made an impressive start to their league campaign with victory over Hawick at Mansfield Park in an enthralling match that produced nine tries, rewarding each side with a bonus point.

Ayr's coach Kenny Murray knew that if his side's ambitions are to be fulfilled this year then a win at Mansfield was a necessity. "If you're going to challenge for the league title then you have to win away from home. I'm glad we got Hawick at this early stage because there's no doubt they're a good side. Hawick played some lovely rugby and will give a few sides a fright this season."

Murray's side were without the massive presence of Damien Kelly but the Millbrae men had a significant weight advantage which told towards the end of the game.

In open play Ayr were matched by a Hawick side that showed skill in attack but were let down by missed tackles that cost tries and eventually the match. "They were there for the taking," observed Greens coach Deek Armstrong, who would not have been pleased with the poor goal kicking.

The Greens looked to be on course for an upset when they led 10-0 with tries from Neil Renwick and Danny Landels. But with five minutes remaining in the first half Ayr struck twice with the first of Mark Stewart's three tries and then a touchdown and conversion from Ross Curle, who had earlier kicked a penalty goal, for a 15-10 interval lead.

Ayr stretched their lead with a second try from Stewart, converted by Curle only for Hawick to reply through skipper Bruce McNeill, converted by Stuart Hogg. Then when Stewart completed his hat-trick and Curle had converted it seemed all over for Hawick. But not quite as Renwick finished off a move to narrow the lead to five points. Then as Hawick tried desperately to score the equalising try Stephen Adair intercepted in the Greens' 22 before sending Jamie Hunter in for a try under the posts converted by Curle.

Scorers: Hawick: Tries: Renwick (2), D Landels, McNeill. Cons: S Hogg. Ayr: Tries: Stewart (3), Curle, Hunter. Cons: Curle (4). Pen: Curle.

Hawick: N Renwick; C Robertson, G Johnstone, G Hogg, S Anderson; S Hogg, G Cottrell; B McNeil, M Landels, S Linton, C Charters, M Robertson, N MacTaggart, D Landels, D Lowrie. Subs: G Lowrie, R Sutherland, A Marsh, H Scammell.

Ayr: G Anderson; S Manning, M Bennett, M Stewart, C Taylor; R Curle, AJ MacFarlane; G Reid, S Adair, S Fenwick, D Craig, J Young, J Crossan, A Dunlop, G Tippet. Subs: S Forrest, J Hunter, N Cox, A Kelly.

Referee: J van der Merwe.