THE HERALD REPORTS
Gary Heatly
Thursday 27 February 2014
Haddon McPherson once ran out at Murrayfield for Glasgow Hawks when playing at under-15 level.

Almost a decade on, the winger hopes to do the same with the senior team this April after the club's RBS Cup quarter-final win over the holders, Ayr.

Hawks have reached the cup final on five occasions, most recently in 2007 when they beat Edinburgh Accies to claim the silverware, and excitement is building at Old Anniesland now they have reached the last four alongside Aberdeen Grammar, Gala and Heriot's.

Many expected the Millbrae side to prevail on the 3G surface at Lochinch last Saturday but Jamie Dempsey and Jimmy Sinclair, the coaches, have built up a great team spirit at Hawks over the last two seasons, and an aggressive showing by their forward pack earned them a famous 28-24 win.

McPherson, 24, said: "We were really focused on this match all week and knew we could come out on top if we played to our strengths.

"I feel there was a point late on in the first half where our pack started to gain the upper hand and that allowed our scrum-half Paddy Boyer to gain some yards around the fringes, suck defenders in and create some space for us out wide. I was lucky enough to get one of the tries, but this really was a team performance and that's what we are all about at Hawks; everyone plays for each other."

Having played some junior rugby at GHK and the Hawks before turning out for the High School of Glasgow, McPherson joined Hillhead/ Jordanhill while at university. Dempsey approached him about becoming part of the Hawks' revival in the summer of 2013,

"I was impressed by what Jamie had to say," McPherson said. "He, Jimmy and others were building a squad to win the National League and then compete in the Premiership and that is what we have managed to do.

"More importantly, the whole club is a happy place to be. Everyone is working hard to make Hawks one of the top clubs once again and I am really enjoying being part of that."

This article was posted on 27-Feb-2014, 13:54 by Hugh Barrow.