Hawick overcame a strong and physical Edinburgh Accies side yesterday to record their 12th win of this seasons Premiership campaign, and in the process, securing the try bonus to keep themselves ahead of the field at the top of the table.

Although a very hard fought win, Hawick can take a lot of positives from this encounter, none more so than their cynical finishing when they get a sniff of the try line and their excellent defence, which restricted the city side to the solitary try.

Simon Burns the Accies President felt his sides performance was one of the best of the season, and Hawick had to be on their metal to contain the city sides hard running backs and committed forwards.

Hawick started in perfect style when an early incursion into the Accies 22, saw Kyle Brunton’s deft pass released Andrew Mitchell, whose sublime line left the Accies defence floundering, Kirk Ford adding the extras.

Following a penalty by the visitors, the Accies then worked the space for a score in the corner, which was duly converted to give the capital men a 7-10 lead midway through the half.

Hawick then began to assert themselves and a neat blindside strike by Jae Linton, was followed by a well worked try combining backs and forward’s allowing Charlie Welsh the opportunity to dance in under the sticks for try number three….Ford once again converting to make it 3 from 3, closing the half, with Hawick ahead by 21-10.

Accies nicked a further penalty after the break to stay in touch at 21-13, however an attack by Hawick saw them swing the ball from one side of the park to the other, giving Andrew Mitchell a sniff of the line and, evading several tackles, he barrelled his way to the line cocooned by Green jerseys up in support.

With the bonus point secured and the score at 26-13, Hawick then maintained their strong defence as Accies threw everything at them looking to find a chink in the Mansfield men’s armour. However, apart a further penalty, Hawick kept the Accies at arms length and closed the game out for a satisfying and hard fought 26-16 win.

The Greens squad and their coaches will now turn their attention to next weeks visit to Malleny and old rivals Currie Chieftains. A huge game as always between two sides that know each other very well, however the Hawick lads will treat the game as every other and while respecting their opponents ability, they will have their game plan set.