Pep talk swings it for Hawick

TO say this game was a complete sham may be a little harsh. So scrappy, untidy, erratic. Take your pick.

Just what would have helped to relax the sides and create a more flowing game? Should Watsonians have been more organised, maybe looking as if they wanted to play rugby? Should Hawick have taken the initiative during the first half to score before waiting for their coach to verbally abuse them at half-time? Or should both sides have been allowed to play their 'senior' super district players and save them from playing for the seconds.

The one man and his dog would have had a pleasant surprise on Saturday had he turned up at Stewartry 2nds v Hawick 2nds where Edinburgh Reiver Scott Welsh was playing at stand-off, and Martin Waite was so keen to play a game of rugby that he turned out for Watsonians' second XV.

Both sides felt strongly about their missing players. Watsonians coach Andrew Ker was at the point of ''despair''.

''I feel that as a member of our club we should have the opportunity to play Martin and our other players. Obviously, we're not going to select all eleven, but one or two is fair. If a player wants to play for his side - and we could use him - then why not.''

Hawick team manager Terence Froud was equally as animated. ''I don't mind so much when Ian Elliot is called up by the district because our business is to be a so-called producer of players. But for a player like Scott to be forced to play for the seconds at Stewartry simply because he wants to have a run in a game of rugby is ridiculous.''

Ker, who led the Edinburgh club to championship victory last season, could not have been more disappointed with his side's performance. ''There's no fire in Watsonians just now. So many changes have knocked the confidence out of the guys and, as everyone saw, it's the play that suffers.

''It was always on the cards that Hawick were going to score. Unfortunately, we've lost again and we'll have to concentrate on next week against Boroughmuir. It's a match of two struggling sides, so it's sure to be another enthralling battle,'' Ker smirked.

The atmosphere was already there at Mansfield Park with the curtain raiser of the South of Scotland Schools Under-18s v Scottish Border Reivers Under-18s going to the wire and finishing 17-apiece.

But by the time Hawick and Watsonians had carried on for 40 minutes the atmosphere had just about retreated to the hills. The first half saw two penalties from the boot of Alex Guest.

Ian Barnes's half-time words of wisdom to Hawick obviously hit the spot and instead of playing like a football team who arrived on the wrong pitch as they had done, 15 rugby players emerged and took the game and their first real victory all within 15 minutes.

Colin Murray slotted a penalty, then took a well-timed pass from debutant Stephen Cranston, son of former international Alistair Cranston, and sprinted over for the opening try. Greens kept the pressure on, Alistair Stevenson made a good take in a lineout, sent the ball along the backs and flanker Daniel Landels came blasting through to touch down, and Sharp converted.

Hawick - K Davidson; C Murray, S Cranston, S Irvine, G Sharp; S McRae, K Reid; B McDonnell, M Landels, K Scott, A Stevenson, A Imray, J Graham, (R Deans, 24min) C Sutherland, D Landels.

Watsonians - P Smith; M Mallinson, M Di Rollo, A Garry, J Reynolds (J Elliot, 70min); A Guest, J Weston; N Page, M Smith, J McAinsh, E Reed, J Osborne, G Hills, C Buchanan (G Calder, 45), C Le Clos (D Henderson, 73).

Referee - J Yuille (Biggar).

Scoring sequence - 0-3, 0-6, (half-time), 3-6, 8-6, 13-6, 15-6.

Scorers - Hawick: Tries - C Murray (50min), D Landels (54). Conversions - Sharp (54). Penalties - C Murray (43). Watsonians: Penalties - A Guest (2, 24).