Glasgow Hawks S2 - 15 Kilmarnock / Cumnock S2 Cougars - 23

The kick-off was brought forward to allow the players and coaches a chance to see the Scotland v Ireland game in the afternoon, though the early start spoiled the beauty sleep for some.

In the first period it looked as if most of the Cougars were still sleeping. Straight from the kick-off they allowed themselves to be put under pressure and it wasn't long before Hawks spun the ball out wide to allow their pacy centre a chance to break through some poor tackling and score between the posts. The Cougars rallied from this and took the game straight back to their opponents, in particular through the forwards who started to dominate their larger counterparts in the scrums. This gave the possession that the back line thrives on and play soon started to swing the visitor’s way. The equalising try came at the end of some good forward interplay and was well finished off by prop Stuart McEwan, scoring his first try of the season, with stand-off David Smith adding the extra point.

In the second period the Cougars played some great rugby, moving the ball well through the hands and threatening to break through on a number of occasions. Only some great covering tackles from the Hawks defence kept the Cougars out. A characteristic mazy run from Callan Gordon saw him on the score sheet yet again. More hard effort from the forwards saw them winning more possession, with a number of rucks turned over by second rower Scott Faulds and Gregor Aitken, playing at flanker. A couple of great drives from Andrew Harkiss and Neil Kerr took the play up field, then another fine run from Gregor Paxton with an inch perfect off-load to winger Gavin Wight saw the New Cumnock flyer finishing off a great passage of play. Hawks managed another score before the break to bring the score to 11-8 in the visitors favour.

Another re-shuffle at the start of the final period saw centre Taylor Howie moving to flanker and Aitken moving back to centre. Again the forwards kept up the momentum and pressured their opponents into making errors. Hawks scored two tries in this period, one from a pick and drive forwards move that the Cougars struggled to defend. However a great try from the ever alert Jack Reilly touching down at full stretch following a period of sustained pressure inside the Hawks 22 and a brace of tries from Gregor Paxton put the score beyond doubt, with David Smith converting all three kicks. Final score Hawks 15 Cougars 23.

This young team have great potential and have developed a winning mentality. They had to work hard for this result, coming from behind in the first period. The forwards are working together in unison and winning the set pieces at scrum and line-out, even when the opposition have the put-in. The backs have terrific handling skills and pace and are confident both in attack and defence. With another away win under their belts the team are looking forward to their next game at Hamilton on Sunday 6th March.

Team A Harkiss, R McClaren, S McEwan, N Kerr, S Faulds, C Gordon, T Howie, J Reilly, A Kerr, D Smith, G Aitken, G Paxton, C Frater, G Wight, C Hamilton.