JONNY HOPE, who had a busy afternoon for Stirling County as they put their worrying recent league record to one side and picked up a morale boosting Cup win over National One side Edinburgh Academicals last Saturday, is handed the number 15 jersey. It wasn’t anywhere near a complete performance from his team but the victory does, at least, mean that they go into this coming weekend’s crucial BT Premiership clash against fellow strugglers Glasgow Hawks with a bit of momentum on their side.
Gary Munro of Hawick gets in on the left wing, having kicked two monstrous penalties – one from his own half and the other from just inside opposition territory – in his team’s victory over last year’s finalists Ayr; and Ross Combe, his team-mate on the opposite touchline, also gets the nod after a lively performance culminating in scoring the match winning try.
Kerr Gossman of Stirling County was a handful on the wing for Stirling County and is unfortunate to miss out on selection on this occasion.
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Greg Cannie of Boroughmuir and Nyle Godsmark of Melrose team up in the centre; while, at half-back, Rory Hutton’s ability to float through defences makes him a shoo-in at stand-off, and Greg Cottrell gave a commanding performance at scrum-half for Hawick.
Melrose tight-head Nick Beavon recorded impressive stats around the park and was the cornerstone of a powerful set-piece which set the platform for his team’s hard-fought victory away to Marr; and Shawn Muir once again impressed at loose-head for Hawick.
Johnny Matthews of Boroughmuir is at hooker, although he will be annoyed at himself for a bad missed tackle on the elusive Hutton during the lead-up to Rory Drummond’s crucial try.
Dalton Redpath of Hawick is edged out of the engine-room this week by Kyle Hatherall, who put in a huge shift as part of a rearguard effort for Marr, and Craig Borthwick of Watsonians, who was once again the heartbeat of his team’s victory over Boroughmuir.
Rory Drummond’s ball-carrying and Gregor Nelson’s prolific tackling means there are Watsonians men on both flanks of the scrum, although Aubrey Mncube of Boroughmuir made a compelling case for inclusion. Robin Snape gets in at number eight after a huge performance for National One side Edinburgh Accies against Stirling County as they pushed their Premiership opponents all the way.
15. Jonny Hope (Stirling County)
14. Ross Combe (Hawick)
13. Nyle Godsmark (Melrose)
12. Greg Cannie (Boroughmuir)
11. Gary Munro (Hawick)
10. Rory Hutton (Watsonians)
9. Greg Cottrell (Hawick)
1. Shawn Muir (Hawick)
2. Johnny Matthews (Boroughmuir)
3. Nick Beavon (Melrose)
4. Kyle Hatherall (Marr)
5. Craig Borthwick (Watsonians)
6. Rory Drummond (Watsonians)
7. Gregor Nelson (Watsonians)
8. Robin Snape (Edinburgh Accies)
MEANWHILE, the draw for the semi-finals of the BT Cup and the National League Cup took place yesterday [Wednesday].
In the top tier Cup competition, Watsonians are at home to Melrose, while Stirling County will host Hawick. In the second tier tournament, it is St Boswells versus Dumfries Saints, and Kelso versus Stewart’s-Melville. The matches are to be played on 31st March.
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