Rugby: Hawick put heat on Burgh

RBS National One was blown wide open on Saturday when Hawick YM defeated long time leaders Musselburgh.

The Borderers have kept on the tails of the East Lothian men throughout the campaign and when Musselburgh suffered a shock loss to Dunfermline at the end of 2011 it opened things up again.

And now Hawick YM are just a point behind at the top with a game in hand.

As expected Saturday’s encounter was a tight affair, just as it was in their first meeting back in October when Musselburgh won 26-25. This time Hawick YM edged things 15-3.

Two tries from Rory Scott left Musselburgh without even a bonus point for their troubles.

Coaches Brian Hughes and Grant Talac will now direct the Musselburgh players with a hard week’s training ahead of the long road trip to Ellon in Aberdeenshire this coming weekend.

Livingston remain rooted to the bottom after a 34-0 loss at Langholm while Linlithgow are second bottom after battling hard, but ultimately losing 13-0 at Ellon. Dunfermline leapfrogged Murrayfield Wanderers into third place after they defeated the Capital outfit 9-7 in Fife.

Edinburgh University Blues and RHC Cougars were inactive at the weekend after they saw their scheduled matches at Kilmarnock and Garnock postponed, with Langholm’s win meaning the students are now nearer to the bottom spots.