Well, that’s it all over for another season. What a roller coaster of a year it has been, full of high’s and low’s problems and solution from July onwards.
It has not been easy for a Hawks supporter and probably a nightmare for head coach Andy Hill and his team.

Pre-season the news that we had lost our training ground at the police ground, Lochinch, in Pollok Park as Queen’s Park FC had taken over the entire facility and all users had their contracts cancelled was a hard blow to accept. A temporary solution was found by securing the use of an unused ground called Kirklee in the West End of the City. A convenient location and OK to a certain extent but no facilities and no lights that meant that it could not be used as winter came in.
Fortune smiled upon us as Nethercraigs in Corkerhill became available, a facility with a good playing surface, excellent changing accommodation, a full set of floodlights and a ground staff who have been most welcoming. The 2nd XV have played their home matches there throughout the season. Problem number 1 solved.

The pre-season highlight was the number of new players expressing an interest in joining Hawks and being registered. One or two in the experienced category and a large number in the 17-19 age bracket, several of whom had played international rugby for Scotland at Under 16 or under 18 level and early on their potential was clearly evident. 5 of them went on to be capped for the Under 20 Scottish team and a total of 10 were included in the extended training squad.

The new 1st XV settled early and by the end of November had won 6 games all with bonus points, 4 being away from home.
The problem was that they had difficulty all season in winning at Balgray where too many games were lost in the final quarter of games.
During the later part of the league season the lack of continuity of selection with players being withdrawn by Super 6 teams, Scotland squad training sessions, work and university commitments and a large number of injuries.
During the season the 1st XV fielded no fewer than 59 different players. In some ways this was a good thing as it gave 2nd XV players the opportunity to experience playing at a higher level but it certainly did not help continuity of selection.

After the league programme was over things turned for the better due to a successful run in the cup. Wins at Gala, Dundee and Heriot’s, all away from home, This led to a place in the semi final, the 9th time in the 25 year history of Hawks, and a game against Scottish Champions, Hawick, played at Hughenden as Balgray wasn’t available.
For 70 minutes the game could have gone either way as Hawks put up a spirited performance and scored two tries. In the final 10 minutes Hawick were able to put on a highly experienced bench of players and finally ran out comfortable winners. The good news was the size of the crowd that turned up demonstrating that despite the lack of publicity from the SRU there is still an appetite for Club Rugby.

John Roxburgh

OFFSIDE LINE TRIBUTE TO JOHN

TRIBUTES have been paid to John Roxburgh, who died aged 84 onSunday21stMay, following a short illness. He was a former Jordanhill College and Glasgow District stand-off who went on to become the Scottish Rugby Union’s first full-time paid coaching guru – or “technical adviser” – from the mid-1970s until his retirement during the 1997-98 season, before serving seven successful years as Glasgow Hawks director of rugby between 2000 and 2007.
His role at Murrayfield was often a thankless task which required the careful balancing of disparate interest groups as the game moved with increasing velocity away from the Victorian ideals it had been founded on towards the advent of professionalism in 1995 – and while it would have been impossible to keep everyone happy all of the time, Roxburgh’s integrity, his commitment to supporting clubs and his passion for helping develop players, meant he remained a respected individual across the Scottish rugby landscape.
He pioneered the first coaching courses north of the Border, oversaw the introduction of development officers in the early 1990s and played an instrumental role in the” system.
As a talented and hard-nosed stand-off, Roxburgh (widely known as ‘Rocky’) was a key member of the Jordanhill side which rose to become one of the leading clubs in the country during the 1960s under the aegis of the legendary Bill Dickinson, culminating in their triumph in the ‘Scottish Unofficial Championship’ in 1969.
During his spell as director of rugby at Hawks, the club won the Scottish championship three times (2004, 2005 and 2006), the Scottish Cup once (2004) and the Scottish Reserve League (2004 and 2005).
“He could have a fairly gruff demeanour, but the really remarkable thing I have noticed since hearing the sad news about John is just how many ex-players have been in touch or posted messages on social media to express how much they respected and admired him,” said Glasgow Hawks Chairman Kenny Hamilton. “The success we had as a club during his period as director of rugby speaks for itself.”
Roxburgh was forced to step down from that Hawks role due to the deteriorating health of his wife, Irene, who passed away in 2020, but he remained an active member of the committee until he fell ill a few months ago. He is survived by his children Joyce and David, and their families.
Former Watsonians, Scotland and Lions centre Scott Hastings tweeted: “Sorry to hear the passing of one of Scottish rugby’s great guys, John Roxburgh – the former technical guru who first implemented coaching courses for the game north of the border! RIP Rocky!”
Retired rugby journalist Bill Lothian added: “Very much his own man within the Murrayfield establishment which is saying something. Loved Rocky’s directness and honesty. Great company, especially on rugby trips when the beer flowed and conversations were off the record.”
Douglas Arneil, who worked alongside Roxburgh as SRU Schools’ Technical Administrator, said: “His role probably never got the recognition it deserved. He was hugely committed to the cause and his own knowledge of rugby was very under-rated.
“He had the ability to bring coaches of the calibre of Bill Dickinson, Ian Cosgrove, Jim Telfer and Richie Dixon into a proper structure. He co-ordinated the whole thing.”
“To some he might have come over as pretty gruff, but he was a deeply caring human being and was determined to achieve the best for Scotland,”
Our thoughts, at this sad time go out to the extended Roxburgh family.
(The above obituary appeared in the ‘Offsideline’ composed by David Barnes with assistance from Hugh Barrow
Super 6 Sprint Series
With the S6 upon us it is only right we say farewell to the Hawks leaving us and hoping to make their debuts across the series.
Alfie Maitland and Andy McLean have both managed to secure deals with the Boroughmuir Bears. However Alfie maybe unavailable due to an injury sustained in our quarter final win v Heriot’s. Andy McLean joined us from Gordonians and made an immediate impact on the Premiership resulting in him being LTI replacement with the Bears in the Championship season and then being selected in the Scotland U20’s squad for the 6 Nations.
Alfie joined us from Stewart’s Melville and has had a frustrating year due to injury. However this didn’t stop him from being involved in the wider training squad for the 20’s.
Eric Davey, Ru Hart and Moby Ogunlaja also leave Hawks to join Stirling Wolves. Eric joined us from Strathallan and has been a mainstay of the squad and was 24th man in the 20’s 6 Nations squad on two occasions.
Ru joined us from Glasgow Academy and his work rate on and off the park made him a regular figure in the 1st XV and subsequently he went on to represent the 20’s across the 6 Nations.
Moby’s 2 seasons with us have been blighted by injury. However he impressed in a training session against the 6 Nations squad for the 20’s and was the 1st choice tight head for Kenny Murray throughout the 6 Nations.
Kerr Yule while only managing a few games due to injury made an immediate impact on the squad and at 17 made his debut. From there he started every game for the 20’s having joined us from West of Scotland.
Finally Euan McAra, who joined us from Biggar, also leaves us to join Heriot’s. Having been injured at the start of the season he was released to help Heriot’s Super 6 in the Championship season where he impressed both coaches. Since then he has battled with Eric throughout the season for the starting 9 jersey which has brought out the best in both players.
Thanks have to go to Boroughmuir and Stirling who allowed Andy and Eric to play in our semi final v Hawick.
All at Hawks wish the boys well on their next chapter.
(The article has been adapted from a notification written by Andy published in Glasgow Hawks News earlier this year)
2nd XV Report
The 2nd XV ended their season in second place and qualified for the semi final play off against Heriot’s at Goldenacre where after a titanic struggle they lost out after gaining a substantial lead early in the first half.
The standard of rugby in this league was generally poor and many games were won by high margins. The only team that proved to be a challenge was GHA who went on to beat Heriot’s in the final playoff.
There was a move to try to merge the Edinburgh top teams with the Glasgow top teams next season in the hope that this will improve the overall standard. This has now been agreed. The Border Clubs have set up their own league in an effort to cut down the travelling and the number of unfulfilled fixtures.
Penalties the Blight of the Game

Generally refereeing in the Premiership has been of a good standard throughout the season with one exception, the total number of penalties being awarded for technical offences. 30, in one game and sometimes over 20 in others. This breaks up the flow and continuity of the game. The particular area of concern is the breakdown but the scrum also needs to be looked at.

Some referees are very strict in refereeing players going off their feet and blocking the release of the ball after the tackle, others are quite relaxed about it. Some referees give the tackled player time to release the ball others whistle up immediately. This all leads to confusion in the minds of the players.

In the scrum far too often sides use the scrum as an easy source of milking a penalty especially by deliberately wheeling the scrum.

Penalties are an important part of the game and must be used for foul play, offside and deliberate knock on’s.

Far too many tries are scored from the drive at a five metre lineout. This is hard to defend. Rugby is a handling and running game and therefore this should not be permitted as it is a blatant form of obstruction.

What is the solution? Here is a suggestion.

Penalties for technical offences awarded to attacking sides in their opponents half can only be kicked for goal or kicked to outside the 22 area, up and under’s or tap and run. Kicking to the corner not allowed. Penalties for foul play would retain the right to kick to touch in the corner.

A subject for discussion

Hawks Players in High Demand

The season is over but Hawks players still seem to be in high demand. In recent weeks 3 Hawks players, Tiaan Wright, Matthew Stewart and Euan Muirhead played for Co-optimists in a game against East Lothian at Dunbar. .

They will now be entitled to wear the distinctive dark blue tie with the prone white lion. Further recognition for the Club.

In a recent game between a Caledonia Reds select and the Army, a warm up before the district championship, Liam Brimms, who hails from Thurso and Oscar Baird from Inverness played at stand off and No.8 respectively. Henry Lapslie was the stand off in the opposition.

The Glasgow and West District squad was announced and 8 Hawks players were named:

The front row quartet of Gary Strain, Eban Cairns, Paul Cairncross and Michael Downer, and threequarters, stand off Gavin Cruikshanks, centre James Pinkerton and wingers Sam Graham and Ryan Flett.

Unfortunately the Glasgow & West XV were beaten by Caledonia in the first round played in Inverness

In the play off for 3rd/4th position the Glasgow & West team played against Edinburgh at Braidholm on Sunday 23rd May and was successful by winning 22-12. 6 Hawks players participated in the fixture. James Pinkerton was at fullback, Sam Graham on the left wing and Gavin Cruikshanks at stand off. In the pack Michael Downer played at loose head and Paul Cairncross at hooker. Paul was the co-captain. Ryan Flett came on as a replacement in the second half.

Tom Davidson was one of the team of three coaches.

Caledonia beat the South in the final and their team included stand off Liam Brimms and No.8 Oscar Baird

Overall the tournament was voted a success and it is hoped that it will be played in an extended format next season.

Former Hawks are continuing to make their mark around the world. Peni Matawala had a short stint with Hawks when he had a spell with Glasgow Warriors, now plays for the Fijian Drua in the Super League Pacific tournament, has been named in a powerful looking Fiji Under 20 squad for the Under 20 tournament in July. Scotland beware! Many members of the squad play for top clubs in England and Europe, the remainder play for Fijian Drua who reached the semi final of the current tournament in their first season.

Kaleem Baretto, scrum half, had one successful season with hawks before turning professional has been named in the GB Sevens Squad,

We will continue to watch the progress of these players and all other ex Hawks wherever they are playing.

Hawks Annual Award Ceremony

At a function held at the GWR on Saturday 11th May the following awards were presented:
1st XV Player of the Year – Oscar Baird
2nd XV Player of the Year – Ryan Burke
Most Improved Player of the year – Howie Roxburgh
Young Player of the Year – Eric Davey
Players Player of the Year- Gary Strain
Club Person of the Year – Viki Penpraze

Congratulations – Jamie Blair

19 year old Jamie Blair, who has been a member of Hawks for 2 years, has been selected for the Hong Kong Under 20 squad who are due to play in the second level of the Under 20 world championship that takes place in Kenya in July this year.

Jamie kindly contacted the Club to provide some information on his selection.

‘I’m flying out to Hong Kong on the 14th of June to join up with the training camp. There will be a home-based training camp, followed by a one-week pre-tournament camp in the Netherlands where we will have a warm-up fixture against Netherlands U20. After this, we will fly out to Nairobi Kenya, and begin our preparation for the international tournament.

With our group consisting of Samoa, Spain, and Kenya, it will be tough but I’m absolutely buzzing. Worth noting that Scotland U20s are in the other group, so a chance to have a run out against a few teammates from the Hawks would be an unreal opportunity.

My connection to Hong Kong: I was born and raised in Hong Kong before moving to Tarbert, Scotland - where my father is originally from - at the age of 14. Having spent most of my life in Hong Kong, with many of my family and close friends still staying there, it will be an honour to represent them’.

Jamie’s Hawks Sponsor is West Loch Shores who offer stunning self-catering accommodation in picturesque locations in and around Tarbert Loch Fyne. Ideal for those looking for a break away from the city, offering plenty of accommodation options such as lodges, houses, holiday homes, and clamping pods. See more at https://www.westlochshores.com

If you are interested in contacting them please mention your Hawks connection.

All at Hawks wish all the best to Jamie and hope he plays well for his country.

At the time of writing the Scottish squad has not been announced but we are fairly certain that it will contain a contingent of Hawks players.

Fixture List Season 2023-24

02 SeptHawick Away
09 SeptSelkirk Home
16 SeptMarr Home
23 SeptKelso Away
30 SeptEd. Accies Home
07 OctCurrie Away
14 OctJedforest Home
21 OctMusselburgh Away
28 OctHeriot’s Blues Home
04 NovHawick Home
11 NovSelkirk Away
18 NovMarr Away
25 NovKelso Home
02 DecEd. Accies Away
09 DecCurrie Home
20 JanJedforest Away
27 JanMusselburgh Home
03 FebEd. Accies Away

Please put these dates in your diary

Finally we take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, sponsors and match day personnel for their assistance and support for the club throughout the season and we look forward to seeing you again in the new season.