Dunbar 46
Hawick Harlequins 31
RBS BOWL SEMI-FINAL
SUNSHINE greeted Hawick Quins when they travelled to the seaside for their clash against East Division Two high-flyers Dunbar.
The hosts had already beaten the Hawick side twice this season, but Ricky Kiore’s men stuck to their task well for the first 12 minutes, before Dunbar broke through to score a converted try.
They followed this up with a further three tries, one of which was converted, before Quins got a look in, Rory Smith running in under the posts for Scott Peffers to convert.
Half-time score 24-7.
Quins started the second half brightly and were awarded a penalty when Dunbar strayed offside. Peffers converted, but the hosts came back with another try.
Still playing some good rugby, Quins got themselves right back into the fray when Adam Hall ran in a try, which Peffers converted from the touchline before jinking through the home defence himself to add another and convert.
Both sides continued to entertain the large crowd with some impressive play and when Dunbar increased their lead with a penalty and a converted try, the home support thought the game was won. But back came Quins, Adam Hall intercepting a pass to run 60m and score. Peffers converted.
As the game drew to a close, however, Dunbar sealed their spot at Murrayfield with a converted try.
This was a great display by the Hawick side, who at times were outplayed against a much heavier team, but who gave their all to the game.
Hawick Harlequins: A. Hall; M. Nichol, R. Anderson, N. Douglas, N. Anderson; S. Peffers, R. McPherson; D. Johnstone, G. McLeod, S. Robson, A. Pretswell, A. Stevenson, C. Nichol, R. Smith, G. Rodgerson. Subs: P. Mactaggart, A. Bell, A. Fahim, M. Pringle, R. Aitken, R. Kiore, S. Peffers. G. Lothian had to pull out after picking up an injury in the warm-up.