Kilmarnock 22
Hawick YM 44
NATIONAL DIVISION ONE
ROB HILL reports from Bellsland
VICTORY on the road on Saturday saw Hawick YM edge themselves closer to a second consecutive title.
It was only about half an hour before the Skins left Hawick on the journey north when word eventually came through that the Killie pitch was passed as playable.
After only three minutes of the game, the entire club wished it had been called off as Killie ran in a try from the very first play after a poor kick-off, then seconds later Hawick captain Stephen Hill sustained a serious shoulder injury which will keep him out of action until next season.
YM finally clicked into gear after 15 minutes, when Ryan Hogg rounded off an excellent move from a scrum.
Stuart Graham picked the ball from the base and set the backs in motion, and when John Coutts glided past the Killie defence Hogg was on his shoulder to take the scoring pass. Ali Weir kicked the conversion.
Five minutes later, birthday boy Chris Ritson was the receiver of a bit of luck due to the bounce of the ball, and he went over to extend the Redskins’ lead.
Ali Weir kicked both conversions and also slotted two penalties. Kilmarnock also notched a penalty leaving the half-time score at 20-8 to the visitors.
YM were chasing the vital bonus point, and first to score in the second half was Steven Mabon with a brilliant try, which involved some great passing between both backs and forwards.
The bonus-point try came from Coutts, and five minutes later Dean McCracken was on hand to intercept a pass to send Rory Scott in unopposed.
The final try went to Coutts who bagged his second score to take the Skins into an unassailable lead. Ali Weir converted the two latter tries.
The final 12 minutes belonged to Kilmarnock after some questionable tackling techniques left the Skins with only 14 players and no fit subs, and in this time they ran in two converted tries to make the score a bit more flattering towards themselves.
Man of the match, chosen by YM committee, was Rory Scott.
Hawick YM: C. Ritson; S. McLeod, J. Coutts, D. McCracken, G. Desport; A. Weir, B. Campbell; B. Lilly, G. Douglas, W. Blacklock, R. Hogg, K. Millar, S. Hill, R. Scott, S. Graham. Subs: C. Robson, S. Mabon, A. Turnbull.