Heriots 31 Glasgow Hawks 38

“In the 2 years since Dad died we have become aware of how highly he was respected and loved, not only in rugby circles but also in the wider world community. Two of the main reasons for that were the warm human touch he had with people from all backgrounds as well as the values he held dear throughout his life and career.
He was well known for his honesty, fairness, integrity, self-discipline, loyalty, humour and kindness and these, among many other fine characteristics, are the qualities we aim to promote, especially in youngsters, through the Foundation which has been created in his name. We plan to achieve this by encouraging children to become involved in the game of rugby and in doing so to develop the many vital skills which are so important in everyday life.
I hope Dad would be proud to know that he is still remembered so fondly and that his legacy will continue to make a difference in the future.”
Linda Lawson

On Saturday, well a few things happened, Hawks won, with a Bonus point. Winning in a style which brought together the elements which Jamie Dempsey and Jimmy Sinclair have been striving for all season. They beat a good side, indeed a very good side, which wasn’t far away from the winning line itself. But they won, they won with a style which Bill McLaren would have appreciated and in taking the Shield presented in his honour, he would also have enjoyed the style in which Heriots played and fought to stop it from being plucked from their grasp.
You can talk about matches that you have read about, but this is one which you would be proud to have witnessed, for those old enough to remember, it deserved to have been televised. It was an excellent advert for Scottish club rugby and it was sublime.
Within minutes of the start, Haddon McPherson made a wonderful mazy rune from deep inside his own half only to be hauled short of the line before the ball was quickly recycled and Stephen Leckie went over in 5 minutes for the opening try. Scott Wight added the extras and Heriots were 7 down before the blink of an eye. (0-7)
McPherson’s run exemplified the timbre of the half as Hawks, adventurously countered from deep and Heriots struggled to answer.
Whilst the packs were evenly matched, Hawks’ forwards offered an excellent platform which gave Paddy Bowyer the opportunity to service the backs with some excellent ball.
The second Hawks try came in 25 minutes after a period of Heriots pressure. The Hawks defence frustrated the host and again set the counter up. This time it came to Tom Steven who broke free on the half way line to beat the cover as he flew past the defence he took his giant frame through all sorts of pain to get the try. (0-12)
Heriots were reeling and Hawks saw they had the upper hand, again a deep counter saw the Nails on the back foot. The deep counter break came from Neil Herron who put a pass to Gavin Lowe. Heriots had no answer 5o Hawks’ off-loading and when the ball came to Ally MacLay with a solitary defender ahead there was only one result. (0-17)
When Gavin Lowe went over for the bonus point following a burst from MacLay, well it seemed to be game over. (0-24)
Heriots eventually got onto the scoreboard when Russell Nimmo went over for a try with 5 minutes left in the half after some good forward play. Although to the Hawks support this seemed to be but a troublesome irritation. (7-24)
Hawks closed off the first half with a flourish as John Lohoar went over to emphasise the nails discomfort and with the conversion it appeared the job was done. (7-31)
The ten minute break saw Heriots come out like a team who had eaten three Weetabix.
Heriots started to play a more restricted forward game. This sucked Hawks’ defence in time and again, creating the space that the Edinburgh side were seeking. Given the pressure there was an air of inevitability when Russell Nimmo scored a second try in 56 minutes. Then Heriots narrowed the gap to 12 points on the hour mark it seemed Hawks now would have to face a very long 20 minutes, this time flanker, Michael Maltman scored the try.
Hawks difficulty was exacerbated when “iconic” prop Steven Findlay received a very unjust Yellow card, the absence of “Heid” was a severe blow.
Down to 14 men Hawks lost a score very quickly and on 65 minutes the gap was reduced to 5 points after replacement Ben Toolis went over for a fourth forwards try. From the side-lines you could only watch Findlay’s angst after his unjust sin-binning. (26-31)
The gap was now five points and Phil Smith’s team had shown grit and determination to come back into the tie. The home support yowled as the sensed that the comeback was on. Heriots worked the pack well, drawing Hawks defence in as they had all half. As 70 minutes came they had worked a 4 on 2 overlap and the try seemed inevitable. Ruaraidh Carmichael looped the ball to his two man overlap and the try was on… Steven keen eyed and anticipating the move intercepted the pass stealing the ball and running 70 metres for the score. (26-38)
Although the scoring wasn’t over with Neil Goudie getting a late try for Heriots it was little more than a consolationaAnd Hawks had beaten a “top four” side again on consecutive Saturdays.
The Bill McLaren Shield, I would like to believe was won and contested in a style and spirit that he would have loved to have watched… Now pass me Hawick Ball…

This article was posted on 3-Mar-2014, 20:56 by Hugh Barrow.