Premier B roundup: Ruthless Accies’ finishing condemns Hawks to drop

Glasgow Hawks 24 - 31 Edin Accies

At the end of a sparkling game of rugby it was the Edinburgh visitors who came out winners to secure a second season in the top flight and condemn Hawks to Premier 2.

The home side had the better of things for long periods but two spells of deadly finishing from Accies made the difference. Going into the second quarter Hawks led 10-7. An early try from Peter Jericevich, which he converted before kicking a penalty, had been almost immediately cancelled by a try from line out drive from Duncan McLeod converted by Ruairidh Bonner.

Then in 35 minutes came the first of Accies’ purple moments. Winger Jamie Farndale got to a bouncing kick a nanosecond before Hawks’ Craig Gossman and ran in behind the posts. Bonner converted and kicked a last-minute penalty so Accies turned 17-10 ahead.

Accies’ second golden period came between the 49th and 51st minutes. The slickest of handling between Bonner, Iain Berthinussen and Farndale put the latter in to be followed by more of the same from Jamie Sole, Sam Atkin and scorer Greg Campbell. With Bonner converting both Accies seemed home at 31-10. However, Hawks bounced back with tries from Steve Leckie and Tom Precce, both converted by Jericevich.

Jed-Forest 24 - 30 Hawick

A dazzling performance by their stand-off Rory Hutton helped Hawick to a 6-2 try advantage over Jed-Forest in a spectacular Borders derby at Riverside Park. But, in the end, Hawick’s victory counted for nought after wins by Heriot’s and Edinburgh Accies killed off their hopes of Premiership rugby.

For Jed, who are Premiership Two champions, their ability to attack, to play a high-tempo game and to resist Hawick’s offensive play contributed to a fine match, but ultimately they could not stop Hawick’s power and pace in the second half. Jed, too, profited from goal kicking, Ian Chisholm scoring 14 points with the boot.

Jed led 18-10 at half time with tries from wingers David Gobby and Lewis Young and two penalties and a conversion from Chisholm to two tries from Hutton. A brace by Neil Renwick and a penalty by Chisholm left Jed ahead by one point but Hawick tries by wing Liam Lawrence and Rory Sutherland gave them victory.

n Bottom side Hamilton were thrashed at home 61-28 by Watsonians, who nevertheless remain just one place above them.