THE champagne corks were popped on Saturday as Whitecraigs secured their second successive promotion.
In howling wind and lashing rain the West Lodge outfit produced enough class to overpower an understrength Hawick YM side, allowing them to continue their march through the leagues and book their place in national league division one for next season.
But Craigs were forced to fight all the way by their Borders counterparts to grind out the victory they needed.
Despite a strong start, which saw Garry Johnston cross the try line in the opening minutes, it was Hawick who were using the elements to their advantage.
Tactical kicking had the home team on the back foot and when YM forced a penalty in front of the posts Craigs' lead was cut to just two points.
With the weather playing a huge factor both sides were struggling to find any rythym but when Craigs got a fortunate bounce from a kick through by Ryan Moffat, red hot try scorer Graeme Fishe pouced on the scraps to touch down and extend the home side's advantage.
After the break if was the Borderers who rallied well and two quick-fire penalties from long range cut the deficit to just three points.
The Whitecraigs support were starting to think that the promotion dream was slipping away, however, the resillient Craigs boys raised their performance and raced clear again.
A period of sustained pressure on the Hawick line after 60 minutes gave Gavin Mahindru the chance to chip the ball on and Moffat raced through to notch a try right between the sticks.
Captain Moffat added the extras and moments later knocked a penalty over to put Craigs 13 points ahead.
With just 10 minutes left the Hawick YM hooker was shown red after a nasty incident when he smashed his opposite man Jamie Christine in the face with his knee.
Playing against 14-men Craigs might have nicked a bonus point try, but it was not to be and the match finished 22-9.
Head coach Jim Henderson admitted that whilst he is delighted to have secured promotion the target still remains to be crowned champions for the second year running.
While club President Gerry Brady added: "This is a very proud day for everyone concerned with the club and to deliver this promotion for the whole of the surrounding community is a massive achievement."
Whitecraigs travel to Caithness next week where a victory would secure the league title.
Team: Laidlaw, Christine, Campbell, Stuart, Howarth, K. Hunter, B. Blamire, Pollock, Henderson, Mahindru, Fisher, Moffat, Nicol, Johnston, Corbett. Subs - Smyllie, F. Hunter, Nisbet.