The injured Tim Meadows was unable to play, but made the trip to help stand in for coach Sandy Gow who was indisposed.
HAWICK YM ……………................. 25
LINLITHGOW ……………............... 12HAWICK received a blow during the wa
rm up session when two players had to go off injured.
However, they still took to the field with a young side full of confidence.
Linlithgow had the wind at their backs and must have been contemplating a large first half lead.
Each team exchanged penalties in the early stages as they struggled with the windy conditions then, as Hawick attacked on the Linlithgow 22, their centre chipped the ball over everyone.
The ball took a wicked bounce away from Ross Martin perfectly into the Hawick player's arms for a converted try under the posts.
The Linlithgow forwards got plenty ball to the backs but every attack seemed to result in an unforced error with needless penalties given away.
It was pretty tense stuff with the backs unable to get going.
Linlithgow put together one excellent attack to show what they were capable of but, after a good run from Andy Birrell, the ball was lost in the tackle.
Linlithgow rallied with another three penalties from Matt Dixon, one of them from the halfway line.. This took the visitors into a 12-10 lead that their possession justified.
Hawick missed a penalty in front of the posts and, just as half time was approaching, the Reds' defence did not clear their lines quickly enough.
The defensive kick was charged down gifting another try to Hawick.
The second half started badly with an early penalty to Hawick.
The period of play that followed was tense with the visitors only six points behind.
Reds' domination in the scrum almost became embarrassing as Hawick pack must have lost 10 against the head.
By the end the visitors were simply pushing them off the ball but Linlithgow still contrived to make crucial handling errors or concede a penalty.
Hawick played the conditions better than Linlithgow in the first half, using the wind to kick the ball back into the visitors 22 at every opportunity.
Hawick took the game completely away from Linlithgow and denied them even a losing bonus point.
The ball, lost in contact once again, was hoofed up the park.
From the resultant line out, Hawick scored a third try and the Linlithgow players were disconsolate.
Even the Hawick officials commented that they couldn't believe they had won this game.
Linlithgow have to consider this game is just a blip as they face Glasgow Accies who now sit one place above them in the league.
LINLITHGOW 2nd XV …................ 17
HERIOTS 3rd XV …….................... 29LINLITHGOW went to Heriots with a full squad but were up against a team that meant business.
Reds opened their account with a try from Mark Green in the first half.
In the second half a try from Ben Clarke converted by Andy Wylie, then a second try from Mark Green was not enough to hold back a strong Heriots side which was stronger and thoroughly deserved their win.
They will have to be on their toes this Saturday when Watsonians come to town.
LINLITHGOW 3rd XV …................. 15
DUNFERMLINE ……....................... 8The 3rds at last were able to play their first game of the season at the fifth time of asking.
In a hard, physical encounter, Linlithgow scored first although Dunfermline scored a penalty.
Linlithgow added two more unconverted tries through before Dunfermline scored a consolation.
The full article contains 603 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
