Hawks leapt to the top of the National League table with a comprehensive 6 tries to 0 win against Borders Club Kelso. This victory was as much to do with Hawks defensive resilience and ferocious tackling as to their attacking play. Time and again Kelso players were knocked backwards by the relentless pressure of the Hawks defence around the fringes and in the open field play.
Kelso did not lack a supply of the ball especially early in the game and during the second half when Hawks were reduced to 13 men in the space of a minute and later to 14 when the referee produced another yellow card. The referee was clearly hoping for the man of the match award. Others had different opinions.
Kelso scored first from a penalty in the 6th minute, earlier they had struck the post with their first attempt. Gradually Hawks began to win ball and exert pressure. In the 17th minute a burst out of defence by Mike Adamson followed by a powerful run up the left wing by Tom Steven almost reulted in the first try. The big winger was pulled down just short of the line. However it wasn't long before Hawks put a score on the board.
In the 20th minute Andy White kicked a penalty into the left hand corner. Rory McKay made a clean take at the lineout and the rest of his foward colleagues helped to drive Grant Strang over the line for an unconverted try. 5-3.
Kelso were by no means out of things and they punished a loose Hawks clearance kick by running it back to almost the line. Hawks were penalised and Murray Hastie kicked his second penalty to put Kelso back in the lead. 5-6
Hawks responded well from this set back and in the 32nd minute scored the try of the game. Excelent handling and running up the left touchline from a break by Andy White and a link to Tony Heron who appeared from the opposite wing put Tom Steven away and he dashed over from 20 metres and ran round to score under the posts. Mike Adamson converted and Hawks lead by 12-7.
With 2 minutes remaining in the half' hooker, Calum Kerr burst away up the left side before off-loading to Tom Steven who was awarded the try following consultation with the touch judge. Mike Adamson converted from wide out for a 19-6 lead on the stroke of half time.
For the first 7 minutes of the second half Kelso looked determined to take the game to Hawks and within 2 minutes of the restart Murray Hastie kicked his third penalty 19-9. Shorly after that they conceded a penalty on the halfway line. Ross Miller took it quickly and made ground into the opposition 22 where he found support from Grant Strang who forced his way over for his second try. Again Mike Adamson stroked over the conversion and Hawks had a comfortable 24-9 lead.
At this stage the referee took over, George Ooman was yellow carded and Tom Preece, who had just come on, joined him in the sin bin one minute later. Down to 13 players Hawks defended with their lives and in the 33rd minute Hadden McPherson broke away from a Keso handling error and raced half the length of the park to score under the posts. Mike Adamson added his 4th conversion and Hawks were 33-9 in the lead.
No sooner had the sin binned players returned before the referee flashed another yellow card, this time to Ruaridh Wilson the second row forward. Undaunted Hawks pressed forward and this time the yellow card went to a Kelso player for obstruction. The penalty for this offence was kicked into the corner. Hawks won the lineout,a long pass outmanoeuvred the tiring defence and Tom Steven gathered the ball and trotted over for the final score and his hatrick. 38-9
This Hawks team are growing in confidence every week as they get to know each others play. The defence is outstanding and that is demonstrated by the fact that they have not conceded a try in the league so far. The are pressurising their opponents to the stage that they make mistakes and they have been good at capitalising on them.
It is still early in the season but at this stage they are looking good.
They now have to face two away games in a row, firstly to Hamilton,next week and then, in two weeks time, to Selkirk who are the only other unbeaten team in the league.
Team
15 Mike Adamson
14 Tony Herron
13 Mike Martin
12 David Milne
11 Tom Steven
10 Andy White
09 Sean Yacoiubian
01 Steven Finlay
02 Calum Kerr
03 John Lohar
04 Ruaridh Wilson
05 Rory McKay
06 Grant Strang
07 George Ooman
08 ross Miller (Captain)
Replacements Used
16 Jack Mcfarlane
17 Chris Barnes
18 Tom Preece
20 Haddon McPherson

This article was posted on 8-Sep-2012, 21:45 by Hugh Barrow.