Another dry, sunny day for Hawks 2nd XV’s 3rd last league game of the season, entertaining Biggar at Old Anniesland. Changes had to be made to the original selection and as usual the team responded well to losing captain Kenny Baillie, Mattie Smith’s late arrival back from his SKI-ING holiday and Simon Tourde’s late re-instatement to the squad. All of this meant that Mike Whiteford took over the 10 jersey and captaincy with James Small taking his place in the centre, Willie Wong reverted to the bench (thanks Willie!) and a potential debut for Mike Marlow had to be put on the back-burner (apologies Mike).

As with last week the game started brightly for Hawks with the forwards putting some early pressure on their opposite numbers at ruck and maul time in particular and after 5 minutes this told with Danny Hoffman profiting from some good quality ball to score a fine try.

Lineouts were proving to be a slight problem area for Hawks and two successive balls were lost against the throw – more than in the whole of last week’s game! Still Hawks were producing enough ball in loose play and it was no great surprise when Stuart Low scampered in for a try in 18 minutes. At this stage the Biggar forwards began to try and bully the young Hawks pack and the game became quite physical with one particular ruck resulting in Mike Whiteford sustaining a head knock from a flying body and Jonno Single nursing a sore head from a stray boot. When Murray Wiseman was rucked around the head shortly after it looked like Biggar were intent on intimidating their way back in to the game. However this young team have grown up quickly this season and they played their way back into the early rhythm they had displayed winning a penalty under the posts in a period of pressure which was converted by Mike Whiteford – 13-0 after 32minutes.

Almost straight from the kick-off Hawks scored another fine try with Stuart Low making the opposition full-back “sit down” with a wicked side step and, having witnessed the difficulty Mike Whiteford was experiencing with place kicks, he had the good sense to dot down under the posts giving Mike an easy conversion. Our guests seemed to believe the scoreline was flattering us at this point and before halftime they made inroads into the Hawks 22 for a sustained period of pressure which resulted in arty. Half time score 20-5 for Hawks.

Little was required to be said at half-time and with Nick Cox and Matty Smith replacing Ali Mustoe and Dave Stewart and Rob Holdsworth replacing Sean Murray hawks forwards reasserted themselves at the beginning of the second half. A fine burst by Cox in the centre position and a delicate offload to James Small cutting a good line resulted in a stroll under the posts for Small. Whiteford converting for a 27-5 lead after 50 minutes.

Almost straight after kick-off a break down the blind side from Sean Murray allowed Danny Hoffman another score wide out on the right which went unconverted.

Further subs, with Willie Wong coming on for Simon Tourde and Robbie Alexander replacing Franco, disrupted Hawks rhythm although the defence held firm through a period of Biggar pressure. Cox and Smith were showing nice touches in broken play and strong scrummaging was allowing a good platform. It wasn’t until the 72nd minute Hawks scored again with Stuart Low completing his hat-trick in similar fashion to his 2nd try. Biggar full back will be having nightmares about the step which left him on his back side!!!

Hawks couldn’t add to their score before the final whistle, but in many ways this was a much more accomplished performance than last weeks win.


Man of the Match: Stuart Low( for his hat-trick and his rapid exit to avoid buying jugs!!!)


Special mention for Murray Wiseman, who had a sound all round performance - also to Nick for lasting 40 minutes instead of 25. Maybe not conversing with the referee left him with more breath!!! Thanks to Big John for his efforts despite his sore neck, to Heather the physio and to Mike Marlow for being H2o co-ordinator!!!!!

Next game is against Stirling County at home on the 4th March. Will try to arrange a friendly or two before then, to keep up the impetus we have built up.

This article was posted on 4-Feb-2006, 22:54 by Hugh Barrow.