Hawks March on in Cup

Glasgow Hawks overcame their BT Premiership counterparts, Melrose at Old Anniesland this afternoon, in round three of the BT Cup.

Despite trailing for the most part, of the first period and levelling the scores at half-time (7-7), the hosts dug deep and won 19-12.

They now move one step closer to a second consecutive final.

BT Cup - Round 3 resultsAlso securing their places in the quarter-finals were BT Premiership teams, Ayr, Boroughmuir, Hawick, defending champions Heriot’s and Stirling County.

They are joined in the last eight by BT National League Division 1 team, Kelso who overcame Musselburgh 31-19 at Poynder Park and Howe of Fife.

The result of the day goes to, Howe of Fife who play in BT National League Division 2. They saw-off GHA, who play one league above, 31-7, with their star man, Chris Mason scoring all the tries.

At Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks coach, Peter Laverie, said: “The players were determined. They dug deep and it was a good game for the supporters to watch.

“There were times we could have kept the ball a bit safer, which gave Melrose room to score.

However, we didn’t want to take a step back in our season, because today was about righting the wrong of our last league match with this team.

“We spoke about attack and spreading the ball wide. That paid off and the players stepped up to the mark. I’m pleased.”

Dominating the start of the half, the travelling team were the first to score points. Centre Joe Helps’ penalty dinked the post after six minutes, but then his midfield partner, Blair Hutchison, picked his gap at just the right time to score the first try of the match, after 11 minutes. Helps converted, 0-7.

Possession exchanged hands on a number of occasions in the following half-an-hour and both sides struggled with indiscipline. Helps and Hawks stand-off Jack Steele missed one penalty each, with Steele’s attempt similar to Helps’ first shot, as it bounced off the uprights.

However, waiting patiently the home team worked their way towards Melrose’s try line. First prop Nick Beavon was sent to the sin-bin for disrupting the scrum, giving Glasgow Hawks a man advantage, and then after a series of resets the referee awarded a penalty try, under the posts, which Steele converted.

This brought the scores level with just a minute left to play in the first-half, 7-7.

Half-time: Glasgow Hawks 7-7 Melrose

The hosts came out firing in the second period and before long, 47 minutes, prop Gary Strain put them in front, as he bulldozed over the line under a pile of bodies. Steele converted, 14-7.

Full-back Andy Fleming was running some lovely lines as Hawks continued their onslaught and just past the hour mark he crossed the whitewash to extent their lead. 19-7

Centre David Milne was the second culprit to be sent to the sin bin after 70 minutes, allowing Melrose to play with an extra man. First they played a series of phases through the forwards and then a crossfield kick into the wide open space saw winger, Damien Hoyland collect and then score the visitors second try, which concluded the scoring at Old Anniesland. 19-12

Full-time: Glasgow Hawks 19-12 Melrose

Glasgow Hawks team: Andy Fleming; Robbie Houliston, Jack Steele, David Milne, Paul Ramsay; George Horne, Patrick Boyer; Gary Strain CAPTAIN, Jack Macfarlane, Zander Fagerson, Andrew Kirkland, Scott Cummings, Stephen Leckey, Finlay Gillies and Tommy Spinks.
Replacements: Grant Stewart, Brendan Cullinane, Jonathan Agnew, Mateusz Bartoszek and Neil Herron.

Melrose team: Fraser Thomson CAPTAIN; Damien Hoyland, Blair Hutchison, Joe Helps, Tito Mua; Tom Galbraith, Murdo McAndrew; Nick Beavon, Richard Ferguson, Ewan McQuillin, James Head, Lewis Carmichael, Neil Irvine-Hess, Peter Eccles and Graeme Dodds.
Replacements: Cameron MacKay, Nicky Little, Andrew Nagle, Bruce Colvine and Richard Mill.

Referee: Andrew McMenemy