Rivals face off for Border League

Gala and Hawick will contest the Border League Final at Philiphaugh tonight with the Green Machine aiming to spoil Gala’s party.

George Graham’s side are fresh from winning their first Scottish Cup in 13 years at Murrayfield at the weekend, and the coach said on Saturday that training would be “light” ahead of the Border League showdown.

However, with another opportunity to grasp silverware, Graham and the Gala squad are focused on adding the oldest club league trophy in world rugby to their successful first season back in the top flight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hawick are trying to mould a squad to take the club back to the top division under new coach Phil Leck but also havesome success behind them in the shape of a fifth successive win at their own sevens tournament

Neither Leck nor Graham hail from the Borders, but they are acutely aware of the how much being Border kingpins means to local communities.

To reach the final, both Hawick and Gala emerged from their pools unbeaten, with Gala having overcome last year’s winners Melrose in their section.

Border League secretary John Thorburn commented: “It promises to be an exciting game. Both clubs have a very proud history and both will be desperate to add their name to the Border League Trophy again. With the game at a neutral venue like Selkirk both sets of supporters have a short journey to make, so I am sure there will be a big crowd and a good atmosphere.”

Gala: Andy McLean; Fraser Hunter, Bryce Turner, Alan Emond, Craig Robertson; Lee Millar, George Graham; Luke Pettie, Russell Anderson, Ewan McQuillin, Chris Weir, Opeta Pelepoi, Gary Graham, Euan Dods, Garry Lowrie. Subs: Paul Stewart, Craig Keddie, Steve Cairns, Craig Dods, David Marshall, Craig Borthwick, Ross Livingstone.

Hawick: Neil Renwick; Neil McColm, Lee Armstrong, Gary Johnstone, Craig Russell; Rory Hutton, Greg Cottrell; Rory Sutherland, Lindsay Gibson, Sean Linton, Michael Robertson, Craig Smith, Nick MacTaggart, Bruce McNeil, Keith Davies. Subs: Shawn Muir, Matthew Landels, Hue Scammell, Ryan Hogg, Graeme Anderson, Liam Lawrence, Graham Hogg.

Referee: R Dickson.