HOW Hawick must have rued the loss of players to back-up pro-team duties. The team's display was as dreary as the weather as they struggled to put shape on their game in the face of a stodgy Accies side, who did just about enough to merit their win.
Where Hawick had benefited in recent games from the sparkle of Rory Hutton, in the regular stand-off's absence it was a rather unsure and indecisive side which attempted to add to their solitary league win so far.
Their efforts did put them in t
he lead at the break, but centre Craig Neish's usually sure boot was less than certain in the driving rain, and four goal kicks missed their target. However, it would be unfair to pin the blame on that alone since most of the Hawick display fell short.
The only bright moments involved their two Fijian replacements Macui Raiicoso and Kitione Rawala, whose inclusion at least injected a certain excitement amidst the gloom.
There were murmurings that this was the worst match witnessed for a long time – but not, unsurprisingly, from Accies coach Ian Barnes. Former Borderer Iain Berthinussen was their try scorer with full-back Stuart Walker adding the points through the conversion and three penalty goals.
Keith Hedley touched down for Hawick, with Neish slotting two penalty goals.
Scorers: Hawick: Try: Hedley; Pens: Neish 2. Edinburgh Accies: Try: I Berthinussen; Con: Walker; Pens: Walker 3
Hawick: C Murray; K Hedley, R Scott, C Neish, S Anderson; G Hogg, B Campbell; G Scott, M Landels, S Linton, G Petrie, C Charters, D Lowrie, N Mactaggart, K Davies. Subs used: M Raiicoso, K Rawala, K Reid, S Cumming.
Edinburgh Accies: S Walker; M Coupar, A Blair, I Berthinussen, D Rattray; R Bonner, M Campbell; N Lah, M Price, L Niven, E Stuart, J Turner, T Drennan, D Teague, E Milne. Subs used: J Berthinussen
Attendance: 600
Referee: A McMenemy.
The full article contains 333 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
