Hawick Wanderers 14

Borders Semi-Junior League

YOUTH Club came back late on to hold league leaders Hawick Wanderers to a draw at Victoria Park last Saturday.

A big crowd saw a no-holds barred tussle during with four tries, four conversions, two yellow cards and one red card, along with a last-minute try and conversion.

Hawick started the better but a determined defence kept them out. Youth Club then got their act together and took the game into the Hawick 22 and, after some good forward play against a bigger pack, flanker Robert MacGregor wriggled over to touch down. Rory Banks kicked over the conversion.

The hosts had the Wanderers rattled for a time but with 25 minutes gone were reduced to 14 men when hooker Peter Forrest was yellow carded. The Hawick side took the opportunity and, after an impressive break, Sean Goodfellow ran in for Euan Reilly to convert. Half time 7-7.

The second half began at pace, and the Hawick scrum half was sent packing by the referee for deliberately kicking out at vice-captain Kieran Reid. YC worked themselves into the Hawick 22 but a spilled ball saw Gav Campbell race the length of the pitch to touch down at the opposite end with Reilly adding the extras.

With full-time approaching, however, Hawick lost possession on the halfway line and replacement centre Douglas Swinbanks hacked on and picked up a metre from the line to touch down. The pressure was now all on Banks who, despite some heckling from the visiting supporters, kicked the ball over to level the scores.

Thanks to sponsors Brown & Muir, Plumbers, Heating Engineers and Slater’s and Hunters Cabs for sponsoring the match ball and teas.

Tomorrow Youth Club take on Jed Thistle at Philiphaugh with a 1.45pm kick-off.