Hawick 24
Jed-Forest 7
ATHOLL INNES @ Mansfield Park
HAWICK maintained their Premiership challenge and ensured Mansfield Park remained a fortress with a victory that was wrapped up early in the match. But they were pinned back in the second half after leading 24-0 and missed out on a bonus point. Jed left it too late to make their mark despite dominating the second 40 minutes.
Home captain Matty Carryer was delighted to gain the win. “We fell away in the second half and knew that Jed would have time on the ball,” he said. “We got the away win last week, and we just wanted the build on that and Jed are always a hard side to face.”
Jed ‘s Paulo Ferreira praised the side for their spirit but was disappointed with the outcome. “We were always chasing the game as Hawick came at us in the first half, but the boys stuck in,” he said.
This weekend’s other Premiership reports:
Premiership: GHA downed by Glasgow Hawks in derby
Premiership: Currie Chieftains cruise to big win against Aberdeen Grammar
Premiership: Marr march on with big win over Musselburgh
Premiership: depleted Selkirk undone by Edinburgh Accies
The hosts sprang out of the traps to lead 17-0 after just 18 minutes, as Jed battled to weather the storm. It was Hawick’s third win a row and fourth successive victory against a Jed side that failed to recover from such a devastating start.
Jed, under the coaching prowess of Scott Tomlinson, arrived on the back of success at Musselburgh, but found the Greens planning to settle the game early. Jed did recover; however, Hawick rose to the challenge to give the visitors few openings.
The early pressure from Hawick pinned Jed deep in their 22, and only a knock-on inside the 22 cost the hosts a score. But they were not to be denied for long, and when Jed collapsed the scrum, Kirk Ford kicked the opening penalty in nine minutes.
The Greens continued to dominate as Callum Renwick replaced the injured Stuart Graham, and then Morgan Tait ran out of space on the right flank. However, the winger kept plugging away and appeared on the left touchline to take Ford’s pass to score, with the stand-off converting. Jed were under constant pressure and Ronan McKean raced in for the second try five minutes later and Ford again added the goal points.
Jed did respond and a chip from Gary Munro was cleared by Bailey Donaldson. Two successive penalties kept Jed in contention for points, only for Gary Munro to miss the posts after Garry Young left the field holding his arm and was replaced by Kyle Grieve.
Jed’s game came alive and the pace of Gregor Young was a big threat. However, Hawick stayed on top and were able to turn round 17-0 ahead, as Jed brought on Connor Hogg and Harry Meadows to beef up the challenge they faced in the pack.
Jed needed a score to give them hope, but Carryer led by example to touch down from a forwards’ move and Ford converted. The visitors rallied, but the home defence stood firm until a series of penalties created the platform for a Robbie Shirra Gibb try converted by Munro to cut the deficit.
Jed were totally in the driving seat as the Hawick performance withered in the rain. Andrew Ford was yellow-carded as Hawick held out to lift the points.
Teams –
Hawick: B. Donaldson; M. Tait, L. Gordon-Wooley, Glen Welsh, R. McKean; K. Ford, Gareth Welsh; T. Hope, M. Carryer, R. Macleod, C. Sutherland, S. Fairbairn, C. Tait, S. Graham, J. Linton. Replacements: A. Ford, S. Mabon, C. Renwick, D. Lightfoot, K. Brunton.
Jed-Forest: L Young; R Shirra Gibb, Gregor Young, R Marshall, M Cullen; G Munro, N Stingl; G Paxton, F Campbell, P Ferreira , B Howe, G Law, Garry Young, D Buckley, B Roff. Replacements: C Hogg, H Meadows, E Lauder, D Wardrop, K Grieve.
Referee: S O’Neil.
Scorers –
Hawick: Tries: M Tait, McKean, Carryer; Cons: Ford 3; Pen: Ford.
Jed-Forest: Try: Shirra Gibb; Con: Munro.
Scoring sequence (Hawick first): 3-0; 8-0; 10-0; 15-0; 17-0 (h-t) 22-0; 24-0; 24-5; 24-7.
Yellow card –
Jed-Forest: Law
Hawick: Fairbairn, A Ford.
Man of the Match: Hawick’s Kirk Ford, whose astute kicking and accurate defence allowed his team to build the foundation as the forwards’ control ensured that Jed had work to do in the second half.
Talking point: Hawick’s amazing start which set up the win and Jed’s equally amazing second. A tale of two halves.