Glasgow Hawks 12 Hawick 17
 
Until their dying days Hawks players will never work out how they managed to lose a game when they had 85% of the territorial advantage and 65% of the possession. For the second time in 8 months Hawick visited Old Anniesland and plundered 4 points, little wonder their players were exultant at the final whistle. Apart from some slack refereeing at the rucks and offside line Hawks had only themselves to blame for this defeat. Their decision making and retention of the ball at crucial moments was poor but they should still have won this game comfortably.
Hawks started into the stiff wind with great gusto and were awarded a penalty that lead to a lineout 5 metres from the Hawick line. Instead of making sure of possession by keeping it to the front or middle of the lineout they threw it to the tail where it was affected by the wind and the ball was lost. From then on Hawks conceded far too many penalties when they were deep in their opponents 22.
15 minutes into the game a controversial decision lead to Hawick's first try. A long speculative kick from Hawick's 10 metre line bumped into the corner flag and rebounded into the dead ball area. Kerr Gossman gathered it with both feet outside the field of play therefore a scum back from where it had been kicked should have been awarded but the referee and his assistant decided it was a 22 drop out. Hawks failed to clear it and Hawick won the ball and scored a converted try.
Despite Hawks dominating possession they could not string together sufficient passes to get them over the line. Hawick broke away and were awarded a penalty just inside Hawks half and Graham Hogg kicked an excellent goal.
Hawks 0 Hawick 10
Hawks fought back and spent a considerable amount of time in the Hawick 22 huffing and puffing until eventually they worked out an overlap and Ross Miller crashed over for 5-10.
This should have been the signal for Hawks to step on the gas as Hawick were reduced to 13 men as the referee lost patience with them killing the ball and yellow carded two of their forwards.
Once again they conceded penalties that took Hawick into the Hawks half one of which rebounded off a post and Hawks failed to clear the danger when a pass was intercepted and they scored a converted try.
Hawks 5 Hawick 17. Half Time
With the wind behind them this should not have been an insurmountable problem and they made it easier by scoring a good try after some slick handling. Winger Kerr Gossman crossed at the corner and ran round to give Mikey Martin an easier conversion.
Hawks 12 Hawick 17.
Hawks kept Hawick on the back foot for the rest of the game but could not score again due to solid defence and over anxiety. Chance after chance was lost the best of which was a great run by right wing Tom Steven who came into the line from the opposite wing and with the line at his feet passed to Kerr Gossman but the referee adjudged that it was forward.
Mid way through the half the game was halted for 10 minutes due to an injury to Hawick's second row Kieron Willison. Because of the cold the players retreated to the dressing rooms. This disrupted Hawks flow and despite several despairing drives at the line they could not break through.
Hawick's No. 8 Bruce Mitchell was outstanding in defence and to my mind was man of the match.
All is not lost for Hawks as they have only lost 4 points out a possible 10 and only Edinburgh Accies remain unbeaten. It will be tough but not impossible to retain 1st Division status if confidence in their own ability can be maintained.

This article was posted on 20-Feb-2012, 12:39 by Hugh Barrow.