The Greens opened their pre-season round of friendlies with a physical and high tempo encounter with English Division 1 opposition in Darlington Mowden Park at Mansfield yesterday. Playing a game of 4 x 20 quarters, where the squad rotation made it difficult to get into their stride Hawick went down 26-10 by 4 tries to 2.

Great to see both teams hit the ground running with a fast and focused game, and with good adherence to the new tackle laws, which led to good offloading in the tackle was demonstrated.

With some ‘auld heids’ returning to compliment the existing players, together with young guns stepping up from Hawick Youth, it was good to see the talent and camaraderie which was so evident last season, on display once again.

Following this weeks run out, next Saturday will see us take on more English opposition in the form of Tynedale RFC, who visit Mansfield Park in a return match to last seasons preseason hit out which ended in an hard fought draw. With a Greens Seven due to attend Gala’s Marooned Sevens Tournament on the same day, the squad will be reduced in number.