AFTER being desperately unlucky to miss out last week, Kirk Ford gets the nod this time after his nerveless kicking, especially towards the end, helped Hawick to a get-out-of-jail win over Musselburgh at Mansfield. He’s joined ion the back-three by the hard-working Ben Pickles of Selkirk, who had already come close before scoring his side’s first try although it wasn’t enough to avoid a home loss to Heriot’s Blues, while Sandy Watt retains the No 11 jersey after carrying on from where he left off last week with Musselburgh by scoring his side’s opener at Mansfield. Scott Bickerstaff of Marr can feel aggrieved at missing out.
James Pinkerton made his presence felt on his return from injury as Glasgow Hawks returned to winning ways at home to Jed so gets the nod at outside-centre alongside Trent Storen who scored a try and defended well for Heriot’s Blues at inside-centre.
Aaron McColm kept plugging away for Selkirk and almost found a way through to claim a bonus point in the closing stages against Heriot’s Blues at Philiphaugh, while Matthew McMillan oozed class as Musselburgh picked up two bonus-points at Mansfield, but the thunderous boot as well as a fair helping of confidence and control sees Gavin Cruikshanks earn selection at stand-off.
His half-back partner is Fionn Coll of Musselburgh, while Kenta Kutsuna of Heriot’s Blues deserves a mention after making a strong case for selection at both 10 and 9.
2023 Super Series Championship: Round 11 Dream Team
WXV2: Scotland name unchanged squad for USA Test
URC returns: Ben Healy and Javan Sebastian could debut for Edinburgh this weekend
Shawn Muir crashed over for Hawick’s opening try and always makes a strong case for selection at loose-head prop, but recognition this week goes to 18-year-old Angus McGregor who played a key role in laying the platform for Kelso’s home win over Edinburgh Accies, with Bob Stott of Musselburgh at hooker and Ali Rogers at tight-head after a man-of-the-match performance in Marr’s impressive home win over Currie Chieftains.
Cammy Brown‘s all-action performance in the tight and loose for Kelso sees the former centre and back-row selected in the second-row for this week’s Dream Team, lining up alongside Malachy Keough, who combined solid set-piece work with some powerful carrying for Heriot’s Blues. That means that David Andrew and Fraser Grant, whose aggression and work-rates were key to setting the tone for Marr against Chieftains, are desperately unfortunate to miss out.
There’s another ‘Nail’ in the back-row, with Rory Kirkpatrick‘s man-of-the-match performance earning him the N0 6 jersey, Sam Cardosi wears No 7 after battling hard before Currie Chieftains were eventually swamped by Marr in the second half at Fullarton, and Jae Linton‘s crucial late tackle may have secured the points for Hawick against Musselburgh but Blair Jardine was instrumental in Marr confirming their status as the league’s current top dogs with a typically muscular all-round performance to get the nod on this occasion.
15. Kirk Ford (Hawick)
14. Ben Pickles (Selkirk)
13. James Pinkerton (Glasgow Hawks)
12. Trent Storen (Heriot’s Blues)
11. Sandy Watt (Musselburgh)
10. Gavin Cruikshanks (Glasgow Hawks)
9. Fionn Call (Musselburgh)
1. Angus McGregor (Kelso)
2. Bob Stott (Musselburgh)
3. Ali Rogers (Marr)
4. Cammy Brown (Kelso)
5. Malachy Keough (Heriot’s Blues)
6. Rory Kirkpatrick (Heriot’s Blues)
7. Sam Cardosi (Currie Chieftains)
8. Blair Jardine (Marr)