On a perfect day for rugby Hawks made the perfect start even if the performance wasn't totally perfect. If you had offered Hawks coaches any 5 point winning result before the match they would have grabbed it. As it was Hawks streaked into 36-5 lead after just only an hour by playing some inspiring and exciting attacking rugby but then took the foot off the gas and allowed Stirling to come back with three late tries to reduce the winning margin to fourteen points. Admittedly the second half was tough for Hawks with two yellow cards and Tom Preece and Dean Kelbrick off the field injured, Ross Miller the No. 8 in the centre with Paddy Robinson, playing his first game for over a year and Craig Gossman swathed in a head bandage having had 5 stitches inserted in an eyebrow, it was understandable.
Hawks will perhaps want to remember the first hour better when left winger Tom Stephen streaked in for no fewer than four tries, Ross Miller used his power to crash over for the fifth and Kerr Gossman raced over for a sixth try. Peter Jericevich stoked over three conversions. The victory was founded on a powerful performance by the pack in all phases, straight hard running by all the backs and some dreadful handling by County in the first half.
Half time Hawks 24 Stirling 5
Full Time Hawks 36 Stirling 22
Hawks are top of the table on points difference

This article was posted on 27-Aug-2011, 22:59 by Hugh Barrow.