The Scotsman reports


National League Rugby: Hawks and Selkirk win again to set up big clash
Published: 17 September 2012

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By GARY HEATLY
BOTH Glasgow Hawks and Selkirk remained unbeaten, while Watsonians’ good run continued in the RBS National League.


Once again in week four, the second-tier league provided a feast of scoring.

Hawks, who top the table, made the short journey to Laigh Bent to face winless Hamilton and eventually came through 37-25. The visitors scored three first-half tries through Tom Steven, Rory McKay and Mike Martin, but Hamilton stayed on their coat-tails and were only trailing 19-13 at the break. Before the end of the third quarter Hawks had all but wrapped up the points as two penalties from Mike Adamson and a try by the same man put them 30-13 to the good. Steven then added his second try of the day before a late Hamilton salvo as Hawks won their fourth match on the trot.

Selkirk were away to Hillhead/Jordanhill and managed to edge home with a 26-19 bonus point victory thanks to tries from Darren Clapperton Angus Duckett, Gordon Patterson and Matt Kissick.

This Saturday’s clash between Selkirk and Hawks at Philiphaugh is set to be a cracker and something is going to have to give.

At Myreside, full-back Rory Steele’s growing reputation continued when he ran in two tries to help Watsonians see off Hawick 44-27 and notch up their second bonus point home win of the campaign. Steele joined the club from Hamilton over the summer and has become an instant hit with supporters.

In the Borders derby at Poynder Park, Kelso got their second win of the season at the expense of Jed-Forest. Jed had defeated Biggar seven days previously but could not build on that result as a try from Richard Minto and a penalty try, along with 10 points from the boot of Murray Hastie saw the home side home 20-12. Robert Hogg and Declan Wallace grabbed tries for Jed with Ian Chisholm kicking a conversion.

At Hartreemill there was late drama when a try by Craig Russell at the death saw Biggar defeat visitors Stewart’s Melville 22-21. The try was Russell’s second of the day and helped give Biggar their first win of the season. It came just after it had looked like Matt Hannay’s try had won it for the capital side.

This article was posted on 17-Sep-2012, 06:31 by Hugh Barrow.