BT Premiership PREVIEW Hawick travel to Boroughmuir in bid for first win

13 Oct 2017

This Saturday sees Hawick go head-to-head against Boroughmuir at Meggetland in a bottom of the table clash (kick-off 3pm).

The Borders outfit looked set for a maiden victory last week when they led visitors, Watsonians, at the break but a fightback from the Edinburgh team left Hawick on the losing side, four points adrift from this week’s challengers.

Boroughmuir will be looking to put some breathing space between themselves and the bottom of the table after earning two bonus point in their loss to 14 man Heriot’s in Round 6.

The visitors are buoyed by the release of Edinburgh tighthead, Kevin Bryce, and the return of captain Bruce McNeil, but are aware of the scale of the challenge they face against another side eager to pick up league points.

Hawick Head Coach, Darren Cunningham, said: “It’s a huge game for us again this week so we will be looking to build on our first half performance from last week.

Boroughmuir are also finding it difficult to gain any sort of momentum so far this season and will also be desperate for the points, so we are under no illusion that we need to be at our best for a full 80 minutes this Saturday.”

The hosts have been focusing on the essentials as they look to get the upper hand in this must-win match.

Boroughmuir Head Coach, Peter Wright, said: “A real eight pointer on Saturday with both teams desperate for a win.

“We have only been working on basics this week, looking to keep things simple.”

A convincing victory for Hawick could see them kick-start their campaign and leapfrog Boroughmuir in the table, while another defeat would widen the gap ahead of a visit from champions, Ayr.

Elsewhere, league leaders Melrose host Marr and Watsonians will be hoping for consecutive wins when they visit Glasgow Hawks.

Second place Heriot’s travel to Ayr and Currie Chieftains welcome Stirling County, who sit just two points below them.

Boroughmuir v Hawick, Meggetland, 3pm

Boroughmuir: Ciaran Whyte, Grant McConnell, Michael Brown, Ronan Kerr, Jordan Edmunds; Greg Cannie, Jonny Adams; Ross Dunbar, Jonny Matthews, Dan Winning, Tom Drennan, Archie Erskine, Dan Marek, Matt Walker, Craig Keddie

Replacements: Cal Davies, Dale Robertson, Aubrey Mcube, Jack Hamilton, Rory Scott

Hawick: Ali Weir, Logan Wooley, Gary Johnstone, Dom Buckley, Lewis Ferguson; Dean McCracken, Greg Cotterill; Shawn Muir, Fraser Renwick, Nicky Little, Ross Gibson, Dalton Redpath, Guy Graham, Stewart Graham, Bruce McNeil CAPTAIN

Replacements: Matt Carryer, Kevin Bryce, David Lowrie, Keith Davies, Kyle Brunton