Date: Wednesday, 15th August 2007
Kickoff time: 11:00
Against: Mansell Cup
Team: Hawks 1st XV
Location: Away
Competition: Friendly
Final score: 25 - 7 (won)

Hawks win at Goldenacre 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: http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=1317512007 The first silverware of the season was won at the Morisons Cup Tournament organised by Heriots. Before the first game the 25 man squad was pleased to hear from coaches, davy Wilson and Davy Cockburn, that captain this year would be Mark Sitch and vice captain Stevie Gordon. The first game vs Falkirk was just won with a spirited display by Falkirk who obviously deserved their recent promotion. Dundee were blitzed by a Hawks performance characterised by its sheer pace. This left the game against Heriots to be won in order to qualify for the final. This was clinically done against old rivals who included ex Hawk, Murray Strang. Murray was later presented with his Cup Final 2007 winners jersey. The final reunited the combatants of that final with Edinburgh Accies being beaten by a combination of some fiercesome driving mauls and the sheer speed of the support play. Thanks to the coaches named above plus Ali Craig for their work during the day. Thanks also to our physio, Greg de Mello, who was kept busy as was our rubs girl, Lorraine Cullen. Well done to Stu Smith for running the line in such an efficient manner. The build up to the first league game vs Currie continues on Tuesday with a game vs Hillhead/Jordanhill then a rerun of the epic cup semi final vs West away on Saturday. __._,_.___ WELL SUITED: Andy Irvine and Rob Flockhart from Morisons prepare to pull the names out of the hat. Picture: JAYNE EMSLEY Irvine draws on positives GARY HEATLY OUTGOING SRU president Andy Irvine today backed Scottish club rugby to gain strength in the coming year. The Heriot's legend was at Goldenacre to launch the Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup, formerly known as the Mansell Cup. This season the competition features Heriot's, Watsonians, Edinburgh Accies, Boroughmuir, Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow Hawks and Falkirk and will take place on Saturday, August 18. Speaking at the draw Irvine said: "There's a lot of negativity in Scottish sport but, having watched a lot of club rugby in the last couple of years, I feel the guys are playing at a really high standard. Sometimes it is too easy to be down on the game and look for scapegoats but some of the young talent which is coming through from the club game can only help Scotland go forward in the future." Irvine is also confident that the five Edinburgh clubs who will be playing in Premier One in the coming season can all put up a good show. Last season Currie won the Premier One trophy and Irvine believes Heriot's, Watsonians, Edinburgh Accies and Boroughmuir will all put out strong sides over the coming months. Commenting on the new sponsorship of the event Rob Flockhart, chairman of Morisons Solicitors, said: "As Morisons Solicitors continue to develop we were looking to an opportunity to be involved in a project which would give something back to the community. I am therefore delighted that we can help this important rugby day go from strength to strength and it is great that so many local clubs are involved. Draw: Pool A: Glasgow Hawks, Falkirk, Dundee, Heriot's. Pool B: Edinburgh Accies, Boroughmuir, Aberdeen Grammar, Watsonians. No team list has been added yet.

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