Craigs Triumph in the Glaur and Gloom at Hawick

On a day when the conditions meant any sport played would be dictated by the wind and torrential rain, Whitecraigs and Hawick YM played with passion, skill and endeavour. The 36 players and the referee should take great credit from their performances on Saturday, as they provided excellent entertainment for the hardy souls that stood on the touchline.

YM had billed this game as “the biggest game in their history” and Craigs were up to this challenge. Craigs won the toss and elected to play into the elements. YM were soon in their stride and scored from a penalty after 3 minutes. Whitecraigs then worked their way into the YM 22 but YM went back down the pitch and Craigs’s infringed again and the score was 6-0 to the home side. Immediately from re-start Craigs were penalised and YM scored to take the score to 9-0 after only 5 minutes.

Whitecraigs then played a period of possession rugby and it was only YM’s stout defence that kept their line intact. The game was poised at this point but a YM player was sin binned and Craigs tried to take advantage but when an attacking move broke down the YM winger sprinted 70 metres to score. This was converted and the half time was score was 16-0 to YM. Was this going to be enough?

Whitecraigs played intelligent rugby after the restart and worked their way deep into YM territory and converted a penalty to take the score to 16-3. Again Craigs pressure made YM infringe but instead of taking the 3 points on offer they opted for a scrum. Stu Pollock made ground and hooker Jamie Christine crashed over near to the posts. The extra 2 points were not taken as the ball fell over in the wind even though we had a player holding the ball. The score was now 16-8.

Whitecraigs were now fully in charge and pinned YM deep in their half and from a lineout Jamie Christine crashed over for has second try and Moffat converted to take the score to 16-15. With clock ticking down Whitecraigs intensified the pressure and YM infringed twice more and Moffat scored to take the score to 16-21. The final whistle went much to the relief of the players and spectators and Whitecraigs had scored a win in very difficult conditions at a ground where YM had not been defeated for 2 years.

Coach Jim Henderson was absolutely delighted by the outcome and praised his lads for their endeavour and determination against a very good YM who gave no quarter and will be in the promotion mix at the end of the season