Hawick 52 - 12 Kelso 

The Greens exorcised any negative thoughts from last week’s lacklustre display at Balgray with an excellent and comprehensive win over Border rivals Kelso 52-12 at Mansfield Park yesterday. The squad together with their coaching team obviously worked hard in training this week, and that was reflected in both the mental attitude and physical effort demonstrated.

Excellent committed individual performances all over the park resulted in a collective effort which combined a sound and solid defensive platform, from which the Hawick attack could evolve, and that it did ‘in spades’, with excellent line speed from depth, terrific support lines and superb back up play, leading to 8 fine tries.

First on the score sheet was Fraser Renwick who, after some excellent inter-passing by backs and forwards alike, took a deft inside pop pass from Kyle Brunton to sprint in unopposed.

Kelso then enjoyed a period on possession however were unable to make inroads through a staunch Hawick defence. The Greens then wrestled the initiative back and following a break up the stand side by the impressive Hughie Donaldson, the flanker found Logan Henry in space and the scrum-half flew through the Kelso defence.

Within 2 minutes Hawick were three tries up after a searing break by Andrew MItchell, who’s copybook drawing of the defence and giving of the pass, put winger Matt Reid in for a try out wide. Hawick 19 Kelso 0.

Kelso to their credit then worked their way up the park and quick thinking by the live-wire stand off Herdman saw him chip ahead and beat Kirk Ford to the touch.

Hawick grabbed their try bonus soon after with Jae Linton out wide finished off some fine handling by the Hawick men. Then on the stroke of half-time a killer blow was dealt when Ronan McKean galloped free up the wing, then cut in to deliver a fine pass out of the tackle,  to the ever present Hughie Donaldson, and the flanker galloped home from 40 metres to the delight of the home crowd. Halftime, Hawick 33-7 Kelso.

Having had the strong wind behind them in the first half, Hawick turned round knowing that retention of possession and a strong defence would be the order of the day. However after three minutes fine interplay between Matt Reid and Logan Henry saw the latter sprint in from distance for his second try and the game was all but safe.

With the score at 40-7 Kelso then enjoyed a period of good possession however the Hawick defence was sound and although Kelso picked up a second try from close range, the Greens managed the second half well. With the clock running down Hawick found another gear which saw firstly Kirk Ford cross in the corner, before centre Andrew Mitchell broke through Kelso’s midfield defence to score his 7th try of this Premiership campaign, and Hawick’s 8th on the day, final score Hawick 52-12 Kelso.

The Premiership will now take a welcome weeks break before resuming on Nov 9th when Hawick will travel West to face league leaders Ayr.