Glasgow Hawks made a poor start in their quest to land a fourth Premiership crown on the trot as they crashed to a 41-22 defeat at Goldenacre.

The turning point came midway through the second half when visiting scrum-half Stephen Biggart was shown a straight red card by referee Rob Dickson for stamping on the back of Heriot's skipper Roddy Deans.

At that stage, the scores were tied at 22-22, but, from then on, it was one-way traffic.

The home try heroes were Kenny Blyth, Opata Satala, Marc Teague, Tam McVie and James Thomson.

Graham Wilson added the rest of the points with the boot.

Mike Adamson went over for Hawks, along with Gavin Mories and Sandy Warnock, Adamson also slotting two conversions and a penalty.

Across at Myreside last season's runners-up Watsonians edged out Ayr in a dour and scrappy 8-0 win.

Both sides missed a spate of penalties before Matt Couper eventually broke the deadlock with a try in the 62nd minute.

Ayr had opportunities to hit back, but were felled when scrum-half Scott Stumbles landed a penalty three minutes from the end to deny them even a consolation bonus point.

Dundee High made a powerful return to the Premiership by sweeping aside the challenge of Melrose in a 17-14 win.

Breakaway forward Neil McComb was the man who mattered most, snapping up their first touchdown - then grabbing the winner two minutes into stoppage time.

McComb gave his side the early edge, however two defensive lapses paved the way for the Borderers to seize the initiative with scores from stand-off Craig Edwards and winger Callum Anderson.

Graham Thomson's try set up a dramatic finale, during which McComb stole the limelight.

Former professional Ally Warnock was the destroyer-in-chief as Currie thumped Aberdeen Grammar 29-19 at Rubislaw.

The midfield playmaker's class shone through when he scored one touchdown and had a hand in the others from winger Geoff Caldwell and Steve McEwan.

For good measure, Warnock struck four penalties and a conversion to stun the Dons.

The home scores were picked up by centre Euan Campbell and Glasgow Warriors apprentice Moray Low, while veteran stand-off Keith Oddie kicked two conversions.

Two tries apiece by centre Malcolm Clapperton and Charlie Keenan were instrumental in Boroughmuir's comfortable 34-20 Premiership victory over Hawick at Mansfield Park.

Muir's other counter was bagged by Greg Cotterell, while Ross Cook banged over three conversions and a penalty.

Flanker Zander Bruce and Greg Goodfellow broke through for the Greens, with number eight David Lowrie kicking the remainder.

Premiership Two

In Premiership Two former Edinburgh pro Conan Sharman helped Biggar to a 33-6 win over Selkirk.

Former Warriors' apprentice Iain Kennedy scored a try in GHA's 51-6 victory over Hillhead-Jordanhill at Braidholm, and current Glasgow apprentice Ben Addison went over for a try in Stirling's 26-22 win at Gala.

Cartha QP made a good start to their campaign with a 21-16 win over Hamilton. Glasgow apprentice Ruaridh Jackson kicked a conversion, two penalties and a drop goal.

Stewart's Melville saw off Jedforest 18-12 in the other game.

Premiership Three

West of Scotland thrashed Cambuslang 58-8 with former Glasgow and Scotland skipper Gordon Bulloch among West's try scorers.

In the other games Livingston won 31-20 on their visit to Berwick, Ellon beat Dunfermline 38-20, Haddington thrashed Kirkcaldy 27-0, Murrayfield Wanderers went down 41-6 at home to Musselburgh and Perthshire beat Peebles 32-20.

This article was posted on 26-Aug-2006, 18:53 by Hugh Barrow.