It was an early start for the Hawick lads yesterday and a 3 hour drive up to Tayside to take on Dundee Rugby in the Scottish Cup 1/4 final.

It was also the final runout for the Greens before the Inter-District competition kicks in next week, and the lads wasted no time in posting the first score, through a strong drive and touchdown by Ross Graham, Kirk Ford was wide of the mark with the conversion.

To their credit Dundee knew they had to front up against their Premiership opponents, and they did just that, showing some good committed defence, and enterprising attack, however a second strike by the Greens, from a line-out drive.saw Fraser Renwick break blind feeding Gareth Welsh to dot down in the corner. Ford again wide of the mark with his kick. 0-10 Hawick The Greens thought they had worked the opening for Ronan McKean to go in for the third try however the long miss pass from Lee Armstrong was adjudged to have drifted marginally forward.

The Hawick pack were getting onto their rhythm now and following drives by Cal Renwick and Jae Linton, Ross Graham picked up and drove over for his second and Hawick’s third try. Kirk Ford finding the mark with the conversion, to take the score to 0-17.

The Greens 4th was a peach…..with the ball being moved wide to McKean, who

brought the ball back in to support. Man of the Match Stuart Graham then taking the ball on, delayed his pass beautifully to Cal Renwick coming at pace. Renwick then splintered the Dundee defence to sprint in from distance. Half-time 0-22.

The second half played out with Dundee giving a very good account of themselves, pushing for a score which the Greens miserly defence was determined not to give up.

The Greens coaches emptied their bench rotating the squad and the pressure being exerted by the forwards in the tight forced a 5th score in the form of a penalty try for taking the line-out drive down as the Hawick pack rolled inexorably towards the Dundee line.

Hawick still had time for one final score, coming as it did from centre Andrew Mitchell with a trademark line break strolling on under the sticks, to allow Kirk Ford a straight forward conversion. Final score Dundee Rugby 0-36 Hawick.

All eyes will await the publication of the cup semi-final draw from HQ, which will be announced on Monday.

Sadly however the domestic season will now be put on hold as an Inter-District Competition (which could, and should have been completely much earlier in the season), plays out. Hawick together with those other Premiership clubs still in the Cup and Premiership playoff final, will now work to keep their squads conditioned and fit, for the sharp end of both competitions, which will recommence in 4 weeks.