Hawick 16 - 23 Aberdeen Grammar: Aberdeen win a boost

Away victories are vital for any club, but especially for the long-distance travellers of Aberdeen, writes Alan Lorimer at Mansfield Park.

Yesterday, the north-east outfit made the arduous trek to the Borders and came away with a win over a Hawick side who may take a few games to reacquaint themselves with the additional pressures of top-flight rugby after promotion last season.

For Aberdeen, who scored three tries, the efficiency of their forward pack, the clever running of their back three and their all-round defence provided the platform for victory and optimism for surviving in a massively tough league.

Hawick will rue their less-than-perfect stewardship of the ball, but the Greens, for whom Edinburgh pro Gregor Hunter impressed, know that they have a trio of talented players waiting in the wings.

The home side looked on fire as they scored a gem of a try by Gary Johnstone from great approach work and, with Hunter converting and kicking two penaltiess to two kicks by Rob Aloe, the Greens led 13-6, only for Aberdeen to move into the lead with two tries either side of the break by hooker Sam Bingham.

When Morgan Ward added a third try for Aberdeen, victory seemed assured for the visitors, although a penalty by Hunter earned Hawick a deserved bonus point.