National League: Hawick keep title race in balance

NEIL Renwick kicked a last-minute penalty to help Hawick see off Jed-Forest in a thrilling RBS National League match on Saturday and keep their hopes of finishing in top spot alive.

The Greens won the amazing encounter at Riverside Park 42-39, meaning that they lead Glasgow Hawks at the top by four points having completed all of their matches.

Hawks’ home match with Hillhead/Jordanhill was postponed and is now being played this coming weekend. If Hawks win that one they will claim the automatic promotion spot and the title – if not, Hawick will be crowned champions.

On Saturday many expected Hawick to steamroller already relegated Jed, but that certainly was not the case and the match was in the balance right until Renwick’s late intervention. Hawick’s ties came from Lee Armstrong (2), Keith Davies, Renwick, John Coutts and Lindsey Gibson. Renwick kicked the rest of the points. Jed’s tries were scored by Glen Young, Robert Hogg, Nua Fona-Hunt, Declan Wallace and a penalty try converted by Donald Grieve.

Biggar completed their great escape with victory at Kelso – meaning that, despite their own win over Watsonians Hamilton were relegated.

Prior to Christmas the men from Hartreemill looked certain to drop down to the RBS Championship, but a great run of wins, including Saturday’s 24-18 victory, has seen them leapfrog Hamilton.

Hamilton’s 24-15 victory was not enough for the men from Laigh Bent. John Selfridge and Steven Turnbull were among the try scorers for the home side while Watsonians finish in third place after a tough second half of the season.

The Selkirk-Stewart’s Melville match was called off early on Saturday morning.