BERWICK RUGBY CLUB won Hawick Linden Inagural Sevens for the Life Members Cup on Saturday, defeating the home side 36-24 in the final.
Berwick scored first but Linden replied with a fine run by Craig Russell on to Nathan Murray who sent Greg Thomson in at posts. Barry Sutherland converted. Berwick replied with an unconverted try.
More pressure on the Berwick line saw Murray dance over to score again and the hosts looked like they had full control until possession was lost and the Berwick scrum half ran the length of the field for a converted try.
This had a big bearing on the game as Linden heads went down and Berwick gained in confidence. Halftime score 19-12 to Berwick.
After the turn-round, Berwick gained the upper hand and slack tackling allowed them to score three more tries, one converted.
A solo effort from Russell and a galloping scoring run by Graeme Colville, which was converted, brought Linden back into the game but not time ran out.
The president’s wife Moira Black presented the cup to Berwick captain Gareth Hill as well as the Player of the Tournament award, which she had donated, to Linden’s Craig Russell for an outstanding display.
Berwick try scorers: Gareth Hill (2), Michael Brennan, Aaron Hall, Dan Law, Gareth Black.
Berwick: G. Hill, A. Hall, D. Law, A. Grieve, G. Black, M. Brennan, J. Pick, M. Laidlaw, A. Pearson, T. McColl.
Hawick Linden: G. Thomson, N. Murray, B. Sutherland, G. Stirling, C. Russell, B. Irving, G. Colville, C. Smith, S. Campbell, K. Cunningham.
Results
Pool A: Hawick Quins 22 Selkirk 32; Annan 5 Berwick 33; Hawick Quins 36 Annan 26; Selkirk 7 Berwick 17; Hawick Quins 7 Berwick 40; Selkirk 28 Annan 5.
Pool B: Hawick Linden 17 Kelso 14; Penicuik 7 North Berwick 26; Hawick Linden 40 Penicuik 5; Kelso 10 North Berwick 36; Hawick Linden 26 North Berwick 19; Kelso 28 Penicuik 5.
Semi-Finals: Berwick 27 North Berwick 0; Hawick Linden 21 Pool A Selkirk 15.
Final: Berwick 36 Hawick Linden 24.