Howe of Fife 37
Hawick YM 13
RBS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE B
POOR tackling contributed to Hawick YM’s first league defeat in almost 12 months.
Howe of Fife won Premier Three last season at a canter and only missed out on promotion because of the league reconstruction, so the YM were under no illusions that this was going to be a stern test for their new-look squad.
It was clear from the outset that Howe were intent on playing a wide attacking game and on seven minutes some weak Teri tackling allowed winger Stephen Martin to dot down.
Matt Douglas slotted over a penalty, but Graham Hogg was then harshly yellow-carded and Howe stand-off Dominic Martin slotted the resultant penalty between the sticks.
Martin and Douglas traded kicks to make the score 11-6 before John Coutts finished off a great team try to leave YM two points ahead at the break.
However, Howe managed to score 12 match-winning points in a remarkable three-minute spell at the start of the second half as centre Girvin Imrie grabbed two tries.
After substitute Liam Lawrence was sin-binned for a spear tackle, Howe scored two further tries, but YM will play worse this season and get better rewards for their efforts.