Berwick 21
Hawick Linden 8
RBS BORDERS SHIELD
LINDEN’S game went ahead on a bitterly cold but sunny day at Scremerston, with the pitch suprisingly soft considering the frosty weather.
The Teries went in front via a Barry Sutherland penalty after Berwick backs conceded when under pressure, but he went on to miss another penalty right in front of the posts.
The home side went ahead with a converted try.
At the other end, a great run up the touchline by Conor Gracie ended when he was pulled down just short of line. From there, Linden were awarded a penalty in the corner and Greg Cunningham dived over the line.
Sutherland hit the woodwork with the conversion attempt.
Turning round 8-7 up, Linden were continually battered back by the Berwick forwards and the hosts kicked three penalties without reply. With time running out, poor defence saw Berwick pick up an easy try .
For Linden, full back Greg Thomson was a pillar in the rearguard, putting in some crushing tackles, with Ryan Hamilton and Greg Bouglas to the fore, especially the latter when he moved to wing forward, while in the forwards, Cunningham tackled like a tiger.
Hawick Linden: G. Thomson; C. Gracie, C. Russell, S. Renwick, G. Bouglas; B. Sutherland, R. Hamilton; T. Skeet, S. Harkness, J. Gilchrist, S. Fairbairn, K. Mabon, G. Cunningham, C. Mitchell, B. Willison. Substitutes: N. Murray, R. Stitt, M. Knight.