Heriot's 22 - 17 Hawick: Heriot's do just enough, but battling Hawick take plaudits

AS SCOTLAND coach Andy Robinson would testify, seven days is a long time in rugby. Hawick coach Deke Armstrong would surely concur after seeing his side bounce back from a mauling against Currie to give Heriot's a stern test.

Victory was the primary objective for the Edinburgh side in a match switched to Raeburn Place because the Goldenacre facilities were being used for school sport. However, they know they will have to raise their performance over the coming weeks. The visitors were well served by stand-off Lee Armstrong who had been promoted from Hawick YM as cover for injury enforced absentee Rory Hutton.

Another youngster to catch the eye was prop Rory Sutherland, who has switched from back row to front.

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Armstrong sparked the move that saw Hawick open the scoring with a try from Greg Anderson, converted by Neil Renwick, but Heriot's struck back when Max Learmonth forced his way over and Graham Wilson converted. Sutherland displayed impressive finishing ability to race over and restore Hawick's lead but the momentum swung the home side's way when Wilson touched down and added the conversion, then Learmonth finished off a slick move to give his side a 19-12 interval lead.

Michael Robertson hauled Hawick back into the match with a try after the restart. Then, six minutes into the second half, Wilson slotted a penalty to complete the scoring.

Scorers: Heriot's: Tries: Learmonth (2), Wilson. Con: Wilson. Pen: Wilson. Hawick: Tries: G Anderson, Sutherland, Robertson. Con: Renwick.

Heriot's: C Goudie; G Bryce, M Learmonth, G Hunter, M Nimmo; R Mill, G Wilson; A Dymock, S Burnett, G Cameron, J Hill, C Osazuwa, P Eccles, S Dewar, J Syme. Subs: K Bryce, JP Ward, A Spence, J Kohn, C Ferguson .

Hawick: N Renwick; G Anderson, G Johnstone, G Hogg, S Anderson; L Armstrong, G Cottrell; R Sutherland, L Gibson, S Linton, C Charters, M Robertson, D Lowrie, D Landels, B McNeil. Subs: K Davies, N McTaggart, A Marsh, H Scammel.

Referee: G Knox.