The Greens opened up their Premiership campaign for 2023/24 at Mansfield Park yesterday, bathed in glorious sunshine, which was great for the crowd but strength sapping for the players. Hawick were quickly out of the blocks and after sweeping play which saw the ball moved back and forth across the pitch, the Greens created an overlap which gave Lee Armstrong the opportunity to dot down for the first try of the game, duly converted by Kirk Ford. Two further penalties from Ford’s trusty right boot saw the first half draw to a close with Hawick in front 13-0.

Hawks came out for the second half taking the game to Hawick, however the Greens defence stood firm and they worked there way up the park, where after a line out drive with Fraser Renwick being stopped just short, Captain Shawn Muir was first to react, picking up to score the second try.

Muir was in ebullient form all day, and followed this with his second try midway through the second period. Following a charge by Nicky Little he picked up and sprinted in from distance to great cheers from the home crowd. Ford was again on target with the boot to take Hawick out to 27-0.

With a handsome lead Hawick perhaps took their foot of the pedal a little after this and to their credit the Hawks side worked their way back into the game scoring a couple of tries, to show what their supporters will hope is the shape of things to come.

Hawick came again and just before the ref blew for full time, Jae Linton sprinted in home from the halfway line to score what would have been the bonus point try…..only to be cruelly pulled back for what the referee must have thought was a prior infringement. Hawick will now tuck this result away, and start to prepare for the challenge of a visit to Troon to face Marr next week. Having played each other 4 times last season…..these two sides know what to expect……as do we the supporters. Come on the Robbie Dyes. 💚🏉