Watsonians 13

PREMIER ONE

GAVIN GIBBON reports

from Mansfield Park

HAWICK were cruelly robbed of victory by a controversial last-gasp try at Mansfield Park.

With time ticking away, it looked as though the Green Machine would be celebrating their third win of the season.

But Watsonians substitute Ally Rowe was picked out with a crossfield kick to score and Mike Ker added the conversion to level proceedings.

The try had more than a hint of offside about it, but referee Colin Brett allowed it to stand, much to the amazement of the vocal Hawick support.

It had all started so brightly when Graham Hogg took advantage of a mistake after just 30 seconds to dribble over and score.

Then Steven Anderson flew in off his wing and was held up just short before the visitors made their first foray into the Hawick half.

From their two visits, Ker kicked two penalties before the break.

Watsonians were reduced to 14 men after the interval when Scott Kennedy was sin-binned for obstructing John Coutts and the full back was on hand to finish a move minutes later that saw quick hands throughout the Hawick backs.

Rory Hutton added a penalty and a win looked to be on the cards, especially with Hawick's forwards dominating possession.

But Rowe and the referee robbed them of the points late on.

Hawick: J. Coutts; C. Murray, R. Hutton, G. Hogg, S. Anderson; G. Douglas, K. Reid; B. McNeill, M. Landels, G. Scott, G. Petrie, K. Millar, D. Lowrie, M. Robertson and D. Landels. Subs: R. Scott, N. Little, S. Linton, N. Mactaggart and A. Stevenson.