Hawick 33 - 35 Dundee HSFP: Dundee's power finally proves pivotal

After four matches of being cold-shouldered by Lady Luck, Dundee at last found her favour to achieve their first result of the season in a desperately close match of passion and panache.

But, of course, it was more than good fortune. For most of the match Dundee's strong forwards had Hawick struggling to find a forward gear, notably in the set scrums where the visitors' eight at times were able to toy with their opponents.

"We've based a lot of our game on forward power" said Dundee coach, Ian Rankin. "We've out-scrummaged every team we've faced this season and that's why we've no reason to fear Heriot's next Saturday."

It was not all about a forceful presence up front. In the wider channels James Fleming again lived up to reputation as one of the most exciting runners in the Scottish Premiership. But even the flamboyant Fleming was outshone by his Glasgow Warriors' Academy colleague and Hawick midfielder, Stuart Hogg, who turned a despairing cause into an, ultimately unfulfilled, winning position.

Hogg, 18, moved to stand-off when Rory Hutton retired with a shoulder injury midway through the second half, at which stage Hawick trailed 14-28 after tries by skipper Bruce McNeill and centre Graham Hogg to two by Danny Levison and one each by Peter Horne and Fleming for Dundee. In 15 minutes of sheer brilliance redolent of Andy Irvine, Hogg's slashing runs generated tries for Keith Davies and Steve Anderson before the teenager scored a solo effort to give Hawick a 33-28 advantage, only for Dundee's massive tighthead Alan Brown to barge over for an 80th minute try leaving Horne to kick the winning conversion goal.

Scorers: Hawick: Tries: McNeill, G Hogg, Davies, Anderson, S Hogg. Cons: Renwick (4). Dundee HSFP: Tries: Levison (2), Horne, Fleming, Brown. Cons: Horne (5).

Hawick: N Renwick; G Johnstone, S Hogg, G Hogg, S Anderson; R Hutton, G Cottrell; B McNeill, M Landels, S Linton, C Charters, K Davies, N MacTaggart, D Landels, D Lowrie. Subs used: C Robertson, M Robertson, G Lowrie, A Marsh, L Gibson.

Dundee HSFP: J Fleming; M Smith, H Duthie, C Wade, A Hay; P Horne, A Dymock; N Dymock, S Forrest, A Brown, A Linton, R Hawkins, C Cumming, R Gray, D Levison. Subs used: D Russell, R Milne, R Cessford, A O'Connor.

Referee: D Changleng (Gala).