Ross High 22

Hawick Harlequins 27

NEWLY-PROMOTED Ross High gave last season’s East 1 table-toppers Hawick Harlequins a scare in their season opener on Saturday.

But the Borders side came through to record a five-point win, while their hosts ensured they earned a losing bonus for their efforts.

Hawick Quins made a good start and took the lead, with Bryan Hall helping lay on a try for Ross Lothian.

And they extended their lead to 10 points with a penalty shortly after.

However, Ross started to finally gain some possession, with Thomas Docherty and Ryan Strachan making inroads into the Hawick defence, and they got their reward when skipper Strachan went over.

The try was converted to make the gap just three points (7-10).

Despite Ross High coming back into the game, Quins regained control and managed to score another try of their own for a half-time score of 7-15.

An injury to Ryan Hook meant a reshuffle in the home back division, with Stuart Ross stepping in to stand-off and James Peel into the centres.

It paid off a short time later as Peel’s break laid on a score for Docherty, again converted by Nick Tinlin, to put Ross just a point behind.

But the hosts were unable to build on their momentum and Quins re-established control as they scored two tries.

Tinlin kicked a penalty to cut the gap to 17-27 and a late score from Danny Borthwick saw the home side secure a losing bonus point.

Player/coach Hook told Courier Sport: “We were pleased with the performance, although we didn’t get the win, after a poor display last week against Forrester.

“The game could have gone either way and we felt we had the momentum in the second half.

“Unfortunately a few errors at crucial times cost us.

“We could have got away with errors last season in East 2; however, we feel this will be a very competitive league this season and so we will continue to work hard at training to keep improving.”

Ross High are on the road on Saturday as they search for their first win of the campaign – they head down the A1 to Scremerston Park as they take on Berwick.