Published: Thursday, 8th March, 2007 10:00
Brave show from Greens
By S.W.Lynes
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HAWICK YM 26 HELENSBURGH 0
Hawick is still seen by many as the stronghold of Scottish rugby with a Premier One side plus four junior teams.
To face two teams from the town in the space of four weeks would be a daunting task for any side but Helensburgh, having dispensed with Linden in the Bowl competition, were now set to face a promotion chasing Hawick YM in a league encounter.
Helensburgh kicked off with the breeze at their backs and were awarded an early penalty that was taken on into the corner by Mark Sloan and David Riding.
Hawick won possession at the set piece and cleared their lines but Helensburgh appeared to have settled well with David Cameron making an early impression.
Hawick having absorbed the early pressure broke down the narrow side with slick interplay from forwards and backs to win a penalty in the Burgh 22 after 12 minutes.
Having put points on the board, the home side cranked up the pace but the Helensburgh defence worked hard in closing down these attacks with Johnnie Gibson and Dean Wight prominent.
Traffic was not all one way and spirited forays by James Musset from the tight and Steve Walker and James Welsh out wide kept Helensburgh in the game.
A concerted pick and drive routine saw the Hawick pack marauding in the Burgh 22 and this resulted in Dean Wight being sin-binned for slowing down ball at the breakdown. Hawick popped the ball into the corner and from the line out quick hands and nimble feet saw the ball out wide one way then angles of running change to take the try in the opposite corner.
Helensburgh continued to compete but Hawick were increasing their control with a combination of rolling mauls and bright back play providing good field position and stretching the Burgh defences.
A further penalty was placed between the uprights to take the score at half time to Hawick 11 Helensburgh 0.
At the start of the second half, Helensburgh were showing great spirit in the heavy rain but a clinical turnover provided the home team with quick ball.
This early opportunity was not wasted as the talented Hawick back line split the Burgh defence to widen the deficit with only five minutes of the second period played.
The conversion was successful to take the score to Hawick 18 Helensburgh 0.
The home side were now pressing hard and won another penalty three minutes later to further extend their lead.
Helensburgh continued to battle but were unable to master the slippery ball and a number of attacks broke down.
They were still competing well though, against a solid opposition, and this resulted in the Hawick No8 being shown the yellow card for misdemeanours at the breakdown. Helensburgh however could not take advantage of the extra man and to further weaken their advantage Helensburgh captain Neil Sloan had to leave the field with a dead leg.
His place was taken by Luke Rettie to provide Helensburgh with a unique father and son combination in the pack.
Hawick were now back up to 15 men and were dominating the line out with their big front five keen to gain territory on every occasion.
This forward dominance plus wind assisted line kicking had Helensburgh pinned down in their 22 but the drift defence was managing to keep a rampant border back division from crossing their try line.
Strong Burgh defence for the last 10 minutes of the game was not enough to keep the opposition out and with only two minutes left on the clock Hawick finally broke through for their third try to take the final score to Hawick 26 Helensburgh 0.
This had not only been a fine display of border rugby but a gritty defensive display by the Helensburgh squad who had competed hard for the full eighty minutes.
HART INSURANCE MAN OF THE MATCH : Owen McInroy.
Team: J.Welsh, S.Walker, A.Cairns, D.Riding, D.Cmeron, C.Black, M.Sloan, M.Gard, N.Campion, A.Drake, O.McInroy, D.Wight, N.Sloan, J.Gibson, J.Musset.
Subs:C.Rettie,L.Rettie,E.Meadwell.
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