Hawick were first footers to Neilson Park on Saturday with both teams looking for some competitive action ahead of return to Premier League duty next week. The match was preceeded by a 'New Year' lunch that saw 50 in attendance including several friends from Hawick who were most welcome.

The game itself saw the Reds kick off playing up the slope and securing the kick off were able to play several good phases of posession to get into the game. With only 5 minutes on the clock the Scarlets stunned the visitors as quick ball saw centre Dykes make a great break to feed the supporting Neil Watt who dived over for the opening score. Watt converted his own try to give the home side the perfect start.

Haddington 7 Hawick 0

Not unsurprisingly this stirred the visitors who forced play into the Reds 22 and keeping ball and recycling well kept the home defence under constant pressure. A penalty on 10 minutes for Hawick was kicked into touch in the corner but again the Reds snuffed out the danger to clear their lines. Hawick continued to dominate territory and ball, but Haddington were making a real nuciance of themseleves and forcing the visitors into errors. As the first quarter drew to a close the vistors managed to breach to the home line for a converted try to tie the scores.

Haddington 7 Hawick 7

The Reds continued to put in a huge effort but were guilty at times of giving away the little ball that came their way to easily. Hawick continued to probe but the Reds held firm. As half time approached Hawick stepped up a gear and scored two converted tries in the final 2 minutes of the half for a 14 point lead.

Half Time: Haddington 7 Hawick 21

The Reds had really worked hard through the whole first half and despite defending for long periods were unlucky to reach the turn 2 scores adrift. Haddington started the second half strongly and using the wind and slope pinned Hawick back into their 22 in the opening 10 minutes. The Reds should have scored at least once during this period, but Hawick held on to weather the early Reds pressure. On 55 minutes the visitors added to their tally going through several phases of quick ball to score a well worked try out wide.

Haddington 7 Hawick 26

Despite the setback Haddington continued to battle for every ball and generally the first up tackling was solid and this helped to repel several attacks from the visitors. On 65 minutes pressure from Hawick resulted in a scrum 5 and a push over try. This was converted to extend the lead further.

Haddington 7 Hawick 31

Haddington enjoyed more ball in the final quarter but with the scrum badly misfiring the visitors won more of the home ball than the Reds and any attacking platform was lost. Despite this the Reds almost scored again as pressure forced Hawick into an error in midfield that was hacked through and only desperate last gasp defence from the visitors prevented a Reds try.

With 5 minutes remaing the visitors scored the final points of the match with an unconverted try which was notable for some excellent build up play that stretched the home defence one way and the other.

Full Time: Haddington 7 Hawick 38

Despite the scoreline this was a vastly improved Reds performance against Premier 1 opposition and more of the same will undoubtedly see the Reds pick up some wins in the league in the coming weeks.
Next up is a return to league duty with an away fixture to Cartha Queens Park on Saturday.

Kick off 2.00pm