1st XV v. Hawick YM – 4.10.14
A fifteen try romp over a weakened Hawick YM team gave the Saints the opportunity to try some adventurous handling and offloading. The handling skills were impressive but what shone through that will keep Saints top of the league was the dominance of the front row, the ball protection from the back row and support running from the try scorers.
Ali Mather got four tries and Kenny Henderson and Euan Laverty got three each, Lee Scot got two and there were singles from Ally Jackson and Jack and Ben Johnstone. Most were scored in the corners making John Carlisle work hard for his eleven conversions .
The opener from Lee Scott was a forward catch and drive from a lineout after two minutes. Hawick were still in contention and replied with a penalty from stand-off Matthew Douglas after 15 minutes. Then the flood gates opened, Euan Laverty went over in the corner after a great carry up the middle of the field from Michael Yates. Hawick’s restart went dead and from the resulting scrum on the half way scrum half Jack Johnstone picked up and ran to the line untouched aided by two massive side steps to evade tacklers.
Another great carry from Michael Yates was finished off by Ally Jackson. Then another run from Michael Yates was taken forward by John Carlisle before popping it out to Euan Laverty to go over in the corner. A terrific series of passes and offloads involving several players put Euan over for his second. Then a terrific line break from Craig Goldie with great support running from Lee Scott gave Lee his second. Another botched restart from Hawick YM was picked up by No 8 Ally Jackson and taken forward before passing to John Carlisle who drew the last defender setting Kenny Henderson up for the run in. Half time 48 : 3.
Hawick YM responded to their half time talk and controlled the first 10 minutes of the second half giving a try to stand off Douglas who then missed the conversion. The Saints forwards were dominating the scrums and took one against the head on the Hawick 22 which was made into a try by some amazing handling and support running from Paddy Coupar, Ben Johnstone and scorer Kenny Henderson.
Another burs
t up the middle from Michael Yates was finished off by Ali Mather who then showed some terrific support running to finish off another series of pop passes and offloads. Kenny Henderson broke the defence next before popping to Ben Johnstone to score. Then Kenny finished off another Michael Yates carry this time beating three men.
Man of the Match Ali Mather finished off the scoring with two great tries one that was dependant on great hands from the big lock and the final try was due to great support running after an inter-passing move from Paddy Coupar and Michael Yates.
Credit and sympathy has to go to Hawick YM who could have called off midweek when it was obvious they were struggling to raise a team but special dispensation was granted to field three Jedforest players in specialist positions to allow the game to go ahead.
Saints Assistant Coach Kenny Brown said “It has been a great start to the season but it is the next home games, Irvine on the 18th and Preston Lodge on the 1st November, that will firm our position at the top of the league.”
Squad: Kenny Henderson (Captain), Sean McDougall, John Carlisle, Michael Yates, Euan Lavertry, Ben Johnstone, Jack Johnstone, Ally Jackson, Ross Henderson, Michael Scott, Lee Scott, Ali Mather, Adam Prentice, Euan Mack, Craig Goldie, Simon Robertson, Cammy Taylor, Paddy Coupar
