THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
GARY HEATLY
GLASGOW Hawks won the Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup on Saturday thanks to a man-of-the-match display in the final by Ally Maclay.

The 23-year-old back-row forward proved to be the difference between the Hawks and Edinburgh Accies, scoring one try and setting up another in the 25-7 win at a rain-soaked Goldenacre.

Glasgow Hawks coach Dave Wilson said: "It is a tough tournament with a lot of games, but the guys did well and it gives us a good measure of where we are at.

"We still have a lot of work to do before we start the league matches, but it was a good work-out."

In the final, a re-run of last season's Scottish Cup denouement, Hawks led 13-0 in the first half courtesy of Maclay's try and the boot of Ruaridh Jackson.

A converted try from prop Alistair Marsh gave Accies hope just before the break.

However, the Edinburgh side, who were without captain Dan Teague and key men Nathan Pike and Ed Stuart, were overrun by Hawks after the turnaround.

Further tries came from Stuart Dunk and Kenny Sinclair to allow returning captain Mark Sitch, back from a stint in Australia, the opportunity to lift some silverware.

Heriot's also showed glimpses of their prowess, but eventually lost out to Hawks and Falkirk.

The other clubs involved - Dundee, Boroughmuir and Aberdeen Grammar - will all have taken something from the day ahead of the start of league action in a fortnight.

Glasgow Hawks winning squad: Mark Sitch, Sean Murray, Steve Gordon, Dave Millard, Gavin Macdonald, Ross McCann, Stuart Dunk, Jaimie Millan, Ruaridh Jackson, Kenny Sinclair, Jamie Hunter, Gary Strain, Donald Malcolm, John Maclay, Ally Maclay, Gavin Mories, Chuks Aghanya, Ally Dale, Alan Kelly, Richie Gray, Greg Francis, Niall Caddell, Stephen Kidd, Gordon Mcfadyen.

This article was posted on 20-Aug-2007, 07:29 by Hugh Barrow.