Langholm 43
Hawick Linden 17
RBS REGIONAL SHIELD
John Smith reports from Milntown
LANGHOLM had to work hard to get the better of a spirited Hawick Linden side but came in comfortable winners.
A soft pitch kept the ground staff busy in the morning and was not ideal for open rugby, but both sides opened out when possible.
Langholm dominated the first ten minutes and secured tries through fly half Keith Davidson and No8 Stuart Graham, both of which Niall Cubbon converted. Davidson had to leave the field shortly after with a leg injury.
Linden suddenly hit back when scrum half Sean Goodfellow broke from inside his own 22 and beat several defenders to go in at the posts for a try which Stuart Renwick converted.
The visitors made it 14-14 after 17 minutes when centre Greg Bouglas scored from a kick through and Renwick again converted.
Langholm kicked to touch in the corner from a penalty and from the resultant lineout possession flanker Scott Howatson went over for a good try in the corner.
The visitors responded when Renwick landed a sweetly struck penalty but then Bradley Mercer was stretchered off with a serious ankle injury. Half time: 19-17.
Langholm appeared to step up a gear at the restart and the forwards rampaged to the line with prop Martin Salaman surging over for a try which Cubbon converted.
Langholm continued to attack and winger Leigh Durnford went over in the corner.
Linden produced occasional pressure, but Langholm kept control and skipper and flanker Steven Nicol had a brace of tries to round things off, one of which Cubbon converted.
Langholm: C. Jardine; N. Cully, A. Cavers, N. Cubbon, L. Durnford; K. Davidson, D. Irving; M. Salaman, S. Kitching, C. Little, R. Taylor, D. Nordon, S. Howatson, S. Nicol, S. Graham. Subs: J. Ratcliffe, T. McCord, J. Dickinson.
Hawick Linden: N. Murray; G. Thomson, S. Williams, G. Bouglas, C. Gracie; S. Renwick, S. Goodfellow; C. Turnbull, S. Harkness, R. Beattie, K. Mabon, R. Stitt, B. Mercer, S. Fairbairn, G. Cunningham; Subs: S. Beattie, G. Stirling, M. Knight, R. Hamilton.