Last-minute scrum penalty secures Bill McLaren Shield for Hawick

They might have left it later than a forgetful reveller picking up last-minute presents at a garage convenience store on the way back home from the pub just before midnight on Christmas Eve, but Hawick have secured the festive gift at the top of their list – getting the Bill McLaren Shield back.
By Darin Hutson
Published 14th Dec 2021, 20:41 BST
Hawick captain Matt Carryer putting in a tackle against Edinburgh Accies on Saturday (Photo: Bill McBurnie)Hawick captain Matt Carryer putting in a tackle against Edinburgh Accies on Saturday (Photo: Bill McBurnie)
Hawick captain Matt Carryer putting in a tackle against Edinburgh Accies on Saturday (Photo: Bill McBurnie)

The Greens lost that treasured trophy, played in memory of the late town sports commentator of that name, away to Edinburgh Academical at the end of September, but now, over two months later, it’s back home at Mansfield Park.

The hosts’ 24-22 victory against the capital side also keeps their title challenge alive, leaving them sitting in third place with 47 points from 13 games, four ahead of fourth-placed Accies and 11 behind league leaders Currie Chieftains.

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That result was hanging in the balance until the last minute of the 80, though, Hawick having relinquished their first-half lead and let their visitors go in front. A last-gasp scrum penalty by Kirk Ford earned them victory, however, and means they go into the Tennent’s Premiership’s seasonal break within reach of the top of the table.

Andrew Mitchell on the ball for Hawick against Edinburgh Accies (Photo: Bill McBurnie)Andrew Mitchell on the ball for Hawick against Edinburgh Accies (Photo: Bill McBurnie)
Andrew Mitchell on the ball for Hawick against Edinburgh Accies (Photo: Bill McBurnie)

Hawick’s other points came from tries from captain Matt Carryer, Shawn Muir and Stuart Graham, all converted by Ford.

Accies’ try-scorers were Clem Lacour with two and Finlay Simpson, with Jamie Loomes adding two conversions and a penalty.

Hawick head coach Matty Douglas says he’s glad to be back in possession of the Bill McLaren Shield, telling Borders Rugby TV: “Obviously we’re delighted with the win before Christmas at Mansfield.

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“It was always going to be a hard game and probably a close game the way the table reads it, with a point separating us, and in the first half we played with a lot of tempo and a lot of accuracy, but we maybe let them back in with silly penalties and they stopped us playing the way we wanted to play, but we showed a lot of character at the end for the forwards to step up in the 79th minute and win a scrum penalty and up steps Kirk to slot the penalty home and we go in front by two points with 30 seconds to play and we see the game out.

Shawn Muir in possession for Hawick against Edinburgh Accies (Photo: Bill McBurnie)Shawn Muir in possession for Hawick against Edinburgh Accies (Photo: Bill McBurnie)
Shawn Muir in possession for Hawick against Edinburgh Accies (Photo: Bill McBurnie)

“I’m delighted for the players, and obviously with reclaiming the Bill McLaren Shield as well, it puts us in a great spot going into the Christmas break and we look forward to our trip to Glasgow Hawks after that.”

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