The end of a drawn out season is in sight. A final away fixture at Riverside Park saw Hawks take the long bus journey down the A68 for a second successive Saturday.
In the short history of Glasgow Hawks, Riverside Park was the venue for the first victory against Premier One opposition. It was in a cup tie here that the recently formed Glasgow side travelled, the score on that day was 69-21 to Hawks in a televised match which Bill McLaren described as the "best perormance by a Scottish team I have seen". That side was on it's way to winning Premier Two, as it was then styled, and so a new generation of Hawks came to the Borders seeking points for promotion to the Premier League.
As happened last week, the weather had been atrocious on the build up to the game, but this time the Jed pitch held together and offered a better platform for rugby. The home side kicked off and failed to make 10 metres which gave Hawks a scrum at centre. A temendous push was a statement of intent, with returning Ross Miller picking up from the base. Hawks early play was a bit nervy as they sought to play the game in the faces of the home side. Little errors, knock ons and holding the ball in contact gave Jed a few put-ins and penalties which allowed them to keep their line clear.
After 10 minutes, Tony Herron seemed to be heading in down the line only to be stopped by Jed's David Gobby, who saved the try. The ball wasn't cleared and Miller threatened again but coinceded a penalty for not releasing.
After quarter of an hour, there was still no score, when Hawks were awarded a scrum on Jed's 10 metre line. The Hawks pack dominating the scrum walked Jed back over 10 metres. The pressure mounted and it seemed Hawks were going to score when Tom Preece, Herron and Jono Wright combined to get within metres of the line only to be held up. A penalty awarded, and a quick tap was taken, this caught everyone unawares and before you could blink Miller went over for the opening score on his return from injury. Adamson converted and Hawks were ahead in 18 minutes. (0-7)
Jed messed up their restart again, failing to make 10 metres again. The scrum set up a platform for Wright to break stepping inside Jed's Oliver Robertson and putting the ball inside to David Milne who was over for the second which was again goaled by Adamson in 21 minutes. (0-14)
The scoring run stopped briely when Donald Grieve put a penalty over or Jed from about 30 metres a couple of minutes later. (3-14)
Hawks dominance in the scrum was offering a tremendous platform for them to play off of. Miller was having a tremendoius shift carrying the ball, breaking tackles and gaining yardage. The third try came from the set piece, Pushing Jed backwards, again Miller picked up from the base. Passing the ball out to Andy White, the stand off put a cross kick towards the right wing, it took one bounce before it was gathered by Herron who went over for the third score. Once more Adamson goaled and Hawks had scored 3 tries in 9 minutes. (3-21)
On the half hour, Rory McKay, broke free and seemed to be through for a score beffore Gobby put in another try saving tackle on the half hour.
Despite conceding three quick tries Jed came back at the visitors. Jed lock, Glen Young, broke through the Hawks defence with partner Gary Elder in support. Elder made 20 metres, making a rare visit to the Hawks 22. The retreating Hawks strayed offside at a ruck, and Jed went for the tap from the penalty. Hauled down short Jed went for the "pick and go", releasing prop Graham Slorance to go over from short range, with Donald Grieve goaling, suddenly Hawks lead looked a bit more precarious. (10-21)
In 36 minutes, Jed knocked-on on a Hawks lineout throw deep in their own 22.Another scrum and another pick up from the rampaging Miller saw him over for the fourth, bonus, try which Adamson kicked over effortlessly. (10-28)
The second half started with Hawks determined to push home their advantage. The fifth try came when Jed were trying to push up, McKay anticipating a pass intercepted the ball and broke well into the home half. With Peter Redmayne taking the ball in support the flanker put the pass to Preece who was over in 45 minutes again Adamson goaled. (10-35)
There was a minor scare when Jed broke and Gobby put the pass to Nua Fono-Hunt who seemed to be in the clear, but the centre slipped and knocked-on ending the threat. The scrum allowed Hawks to clear their lines and put the pressure back on Adamson and Herron combined to take on the Jed cover, but it fell to Redmayne in the wide position to go over for the try in 47 minutes. Untypically, Adamson missed. (10-40)
As an aside, the match was being broadcast live by Radio Borders and apparently Hawks had been fortunate to score these two tries against the run of play. You can always expect an impartial view in the Borders.
Hawks "luck" ran further in 57 minutes after Tom Preece kicked ahead and forced Oliver Robertson to knock on as he followed up. From the scrum it was now Redmayne's turn to go over from a successful push. and with Adamson kicking the extras Hawks were 37 ahead. (10-47)
Between Redmayne's scores, Miller was replaced to warm and well deserved applause from the small visiting support. His return from injury saw him put in a superb performance.
Before the hour mark Hawks broke through the 50 point barrier, this time it was a wondefully worked score rom the backs. Wright broke through the Jed defence to put a pass to Preece who was in close support. The centre then found Herron who finished the score with the 5-pointer which was converted by Adamson. (10-54)
Hawks next try was a hat-trick score for winger Herron in 64 minutes. Adamson took the ball deep and put the ball to Preece. The centre kick ahead and appeared to be prevented rom cahsing the ball. Jed, under pressure, couldn't clear the ball and Hawks took a turnover, the ball spun wide allowing Herron to go over or the score, which Adamson again converted. (10-61)
Hawks final try came on the 70 minute mark. Another cross kick from White saw the ball bounce to Wright who was cahsing hard allowing him to go over wide for the score. (10-66)
Whilst this was the end of the scoring for Hawks, there was still plenty to do. Jed were defeated but not beaten as they came at Hawks right to the end of the match. But whilst they put pressure on the defence it was absorbed time after time as individuals and the team stood firm. There was a determination not to concede any points as the hard one win represented a fantastic boost to Hawks' points diference in the league.
As the final whistle came, Hawks had put in 10 tries and conceded only one. Top of the league by a point with a final derby match to come. This new generation of Hawks have written their own chapter in the club's history with victory and glory in their sights. Few will forget this win and I think Bill McLaren would have approved.

This article was posted on 17-Mar-2013, 10:18 by Hugh Barrow.