Jed-Forest 22

Hawick 44

Atholl Innes

at Riverside Park

THERE may be envious eyes cast over at Hawick, where the club’s revival keeps it on target for the first all-amateur Premier championship title.

Hawick have now won 10 games on the bounce as coach George Graham inspires his players for a tilt at leaders Marr this Saturday and to keep on the tails of Currie Chieftains for a home play-off spot.

On Saturday, the Greens were emphatic and decisive in a six-try romp against Jed-Forest at Riverside Park on a day where results elsewhere salvaged a place in the top division for Jed.

Hawick ran away to their 10th Premiership win on the trot, and were mostly in control against a Jed side, whose roller-coaster season ended with the supporters watching their phones for results across the country.

It was a massive team effort, and while the forwards set the platform, the form of centre Andrew Mitchell, who scored a hat-trick of tries, stood out as Hawick’s rich vein of form continued.

“We were delighted with our game,” said captain Shawn Muir.

“To win 10 games in a row is a superb achievement and not been done at the club for a long time. We are playing with confidence for Borders derbies are never easy. We are a young team and working hard.”

But Muir admitted that they had to carry their form on to Marr while hoping that Currie slip up at Edinburgh Accies.

Hawick’s response to Jed’s early second-half score was decisive when Robbie Yourston was yellow-carded and the visitors added two tries, completing three in nine minutes.

It was no surprise when Ali Weir kicked the opening penalty, but in 13 minutes, Yourston levelled with a penalty.

Hawick’s forwards started to dominate, and from another line-out close to the Jed line, Muir was driven over and Weir added the goal points.

Hawick’s attacking play, with Matty Carryer and Muir prominent, led to a second Weir penalty.

Gareth Welsh set up Mitchell’s first try and Weir converted for a 20-3 lead.

However, a charge by prop Paul Ferreira led to a Jed try, converted by Yourston, to cut the deficit to 10 points.

Then Wiann Griebenow’s strength took him over under the posts and Weir converted for a 27-10 half-time lead.

Lewis Young coasted in on the restart, but Yourston’s conversion came back of the post.

Their joy was short-lived as Yourston was sent to the sin-bin and Hawick made the extra man count as Mitchell touched down and Logan Gordon-Wooley followed with Hawick’s fifth try, Weir converting the first.

Hawick’s defence stood firm before Mitchell added his third try and Jed gained some consolation with a late try from Monty Mitchell and Yourston converted.

Hawick: K. Ford; R. McKean, W. Griebenow, A. Mitchell, L. Gordon-Wooley; A. Weir, G. Welsh; S. Muir, M. Carryer, D. Johnstone, M. Renwick, J. Rowley, C. Renwick, J. Linton, B. McNeill. Replacements: R. Hartdegan, C. Bachurzewski, A. Piotrowski, B. Donaldson, M. Bannerman.