Hawick Harlequins win first derby versus Hawick Linden since 2020 by 23-13

Hawick Linden on the attack against Hawick Harlequins on Saturday at the town's Volunteer Park (Photo: Sel Messer)

It had been over three years since Hawick Linden and Hawick Harlequins contested a derby but it went much the same way as the last time when they met again at the town’s Volunteer Park on Saturday in rugby’s Scottish East Region League Division 2.

Back then, in March 2020, the visiting Quins edged out Linden 19-15 at the same venue after getting the better of them by 52-5 in the reverse fixture at nearby Wilton Lodge Park in November 2019.

Quins won again at the weekend, three and a half years on, by 23-13 and Linden will now be out to stop them repeating history by doing the double against them when they next meet on Saturday, January 13.

The two teams’ last season in the same league, Tennent’s East Region League Division 1, as it was then, ended with Quins third, on 62 points from 16 fixtures, only two shy of table-toppers Haddington, and Linden bottom, with 18 from 17.

Hawick Harlequins captain Liam Smith helping his side win their first derby against Hawick Linden since March 2020 by 23-13 on Saturday at the town's Volunteer Park (Photo: Sel Messer)

As well as being their last derby, their previous meeting was both’s last game prior to coronavirus restrictions shutting down rugby for months.

Quins initially failed to return after the Covid-19 pandemic but made a comeback last season, winning the Scottish East Region League Division 3 title to set up a reunion with Linden in the next tier up.

Saturday’s victory sees Quins sitting fourth in the table, on 18 points from seven fixtures, with their hosts sixth, on ten from seven.

Next up this coming Saturday, with kick-offs at 3pm, are a visit from third-placed Dunbar for Quins and a trip to second-bottom Livingston for Linden.

Hawick Harlequins on the defensive against Hawick Linden on Saturday at the town's Volunteer Park (Photo: Sel Messer)

The Borders’ other represenatives in the division, Duns, are bottom, with four points from six fixtures. They play table-toppers Penicuik this Saturday, also at 3pm.

Quins’ try-scorers at the weekend were Steven Mabon and Greg Walker, with Adam Hall converting both and also kicking three penalties.

Ryan Ali and Matthew Mallin scored tries for their hosts, with Eli Hamilton adding a penalty.

Quins captain Liam Smith was delifghted to see his team carry on where they left off against Linden, telling Borders Rugby TV afterwards: “They made it hard for us.

“They didn’t let us play the way we wanted to, but we dug deep and we got there in the end.”