THERE wasn’t much happening for Currie Chieftains, but Charlie Brett worked hard to try to spark things, so is rewarded with selection at full-back (although he will want to forget one missed tackle during the lead-up to Hawick’s crucial second try). That means opposite number Kirk Ford is desperately unlucky to miss out following an excellent kicking performance and assured all round display at Mansfield Park.
Big matches are won by big moments and when Ronan McKean rampaged past Brett and shrugged off two more Chieftains defenders for the try which put Hawick 15-13 ahead at the break it had a huge psychological impact so he gets the No14 jersey, with Ruairi O’Keefe, who looked lively and threatening with ball in hand in a losing cause for GHA, on the other wing.
Lucas Brook ran hard and was solid defensively for Musselburgh at outside-centre, while inside-centre Conor Bickerstaff was efficient, organised and got the assist for Marr’s first try as they put Glasgow Hawks to the sword.
Musselburgh v GHA: Fleming double and fervent defence help home side to bonus-point win
Marr v Glasgow Hawks: Fullarton men pick up from where they left off 18 months ago
Hawick v Currie Chieftains: Borderers lay down early marker
Colin Sturgeon directed operations for Marr with his usual authority at stand-off and is partnered at half-back by Musselburgh’s lively scrum-half Luhann Kotze.
In the pack, Tom Hope switched from tight-head to loose-head after Shawn Muir‘s early injury on Saturday and was part of a dominant scrummaging performance which was crucial to Hawick’s success against the Chieftains. It helped the Borderers to have the bulk and experience of Matty Carryer at hooker, while William Farquhar of Marr scored a try and showed up well round the park to claim the tight-head slot.
William Fleming‘s two-tries in a man-of-the-match performance for Musselburgh means he is in the second-row alongside the relentless Shaun Fairbairn of Hawick.
Michael Maltman of Musselburgh gets the nod ahead of Mackenzie Pearce of Marr at blindside flanker, teenager Connor Sutherland was immense for Hawick so is at openside, and Lewis McNamara of Glasgow Hawks is No8.
15. Charlie Brett (Currie Chieftains)
14. Ronan McKean (Hawick)
13. Lucas Brook (Musselburgh)
12. Conor Bickerstaff (Marr)
11. Ruairi O’Keefe (GHA)
10. Colin Sturgeon (Marr)
9. Luhann Kotze (Musselburgh)
1. Tom Hope (Hawick)
2. Matty Carryer (Hawick)
3. William Farquhar (Marr)
4. William Fleming (Musselburgh)
5. Shaun Fairbairn (Hawick)
6. Michael Maltman (Musselburgh)
7. Connor Sutherland (Hawick)
8. Lewis McNamara (Glasgow Hawks)
