Hawick secure morale-boosting win ahead of top-flight return

Neil Robertson and Craig Renwick scored hat-tricks as Hawick prepared for their return to Premier One with a 66-9 victory away at Darlington on Saturday.

Hawick host Scottish Cup holders Ayr at Mansfield Park this weekend and will have been delighted with the result in the north of England. As well as the tries from Robertson and Renwick teenager Stuart Hogg, Greg Cottrell - who has returned to the club after a spell with Boroughmuir - Ali Marsh and David Lowrie all went over.

Ayr went down to their second pre-season defeat on the trot with a 28-22 loss to London Scottish at Millbrae but new recruit Max Learmonth scored two tries as Heriot's completed an unbeaten pre-season with a 31-17 away win at Westoe.

Heriot's other tries came from Peter Eccles, Glenn Bryce and club international hooker Scott Burnett as they warmed up for their opener against Watsonians, who were also on good form at the weekend, defeating Premier Two side Aberdeen Grammar 78-7 at Myreside. Will Rowley and teenager Jamie Forbes both grabbed try doubles with Andy Fisher, Alan Nash, Sergiu Ursache, Sam Paulo, Jamie Blackwood, Craig Sorbie, Andrew Skeen and Nick Hart also going over.

Boroughmuir defeated Edinburgh Accies 52-23 at Raeburn Place. Club international full-back Stephen Ruddick opened the scoring for the Premier One side and then front-row men Freddie Lait and Sean Crombie went over.

Former Kirkcaldy winger Jordan Webster got the fourth try before the break with Gavin Douglas' boot keeping Accies just about in the match.

After the interval Boroughmuir added four more tries, Tom Bury grabbing a double and scrum-half Sam Johnston and Joni Hare also touching down.

Andy Linton, Ruairidh Voigt, Struan Cessford and Neil Dymock scored tries for Dundee HSFP as they won on the road at Kendal. Teenager Jamie Urquhart weighted in with three conversions in the 26-14 victory.

Dundee HSFP's Premier One opponents this coming weekend Stirling County were edged out 33-30 at Wharfdale and Glasgow Hawks defeated Perthshire 40-0 at Strathallan School.

In other pre-season action GHK saw off Allan Glen's 26-14 at Old Anniesland, while Kelso and Hamilton drew their encounter. Premier Two new boys Falkirk travelled to the Borders and won 30-0 against Hawick YM at Mansfield Haugh.

Finally, in the Border League, Gala proved too strong for Haddington, winning 25-5 at Knox Academy.

Gala's four tries came from Ewan McQuillan, Gavin Young, Ross Lindsay and Opeta Palepoi.