Currie keep play-off hopes alive with victory over Hawks

Currie claimed a 25-5 victory over Glasgow Hawks in a bruising contest at Malleny Park on Saturday to keep their BT Premiership play-off hopes alive. A bonus-point scalp over capital rivals Boroughmuir on Saturday 11 March could see Ben Cairns’ men into fourth position and the final play-off spot after Heriot’s secured a 29-13 win over Stirling County in their final round encounter at Bridgehaugh.The early stages at Malleny witnessed attacking flare from Currie with a Harvey Elms offload creating the space for Ben Robbins to canter down the wing while also providing the first glimpses of the home side’s intent – Elms and Robbins utilised as the key men in the back-line.Currie looked to have the advantage in the scrum from the outset, as captain Ross Weston made his presence known with several carries in the opening ten minutes.Elms caused the Hawks defence a headache throughout the afternoon and with a break into the 22, the full-back released winger Matthew Hooks who was ushered into touch as Currie began to build momentum.Robbins was involved once again minutes later after Hawks duo Jack Steele and Paddy Kelly looked set for the line, so too was the Malleny wing who charged up the pitch after receiving from Ratu Tagive in the 15th minute.Jamie Forbes then found space for Elms to dance his way over in the right corner before Forbes pushed his touchline conversion attempt wide of the sticks in the 17th minute.Two penalty opportunities for Hawks saw out-half Hagan Schulte misfire either side of the half-hour mark to prevent a comeback score for the visitors.A try-saving tackle from Currie’s Weston kept Hawks centre Paddy Kelly at bay while a foot was signalled in touch. However, the ball soon made its way to the opposite wing and after several charges up the middle, Sean Yacoubian hustled his way over the line to draw level for the visitors. Half-time: Currie 5-5 Glasgow HawksAfter the break, Elms was close to making it over for his second before a knock-on prevented an early Currie lead at the start of the second-half.The resultant scrum was overturned by Currie, and with the home side back in possession and threatening through the forwards, a score looked likely.A penalty awarded in the 53rd minute gave the Malleny men a three-point lead through the boot of Forbes as the expectant home crowd raised the volume.Another successful penalty from Forbes cemented Currie’s confidence in their ability to overcome the travelling contingent from the West, who had already qualified for the play-offs.Hawks began to threaten minutes later but a spilled ball gave Currie a get-out-of-jail-free card and it wasn’t long before Robbie Nelson jinked his way over in response for his side’s second try with Forbes adding the extras.Currie looked in control during the closing stages and with the final play of the ball, Robbins cemented victory and kicked through a loose ball to pounce on the line in the left corner. Forbes converted after striking both posts with the ball eventually slotting through the uprights to conclude a hardy victory for the hosts.Full-time: Currie 25-5 Glasgow HawksReferee: Lloyd LintonCurrie: Harvey Elms; Matt Hooks, Ratu Tagive, Robbie Nelson, Ben Robbins; Jamie Forbes, Matt O’Neil; John Cox, Graeme Carson, AP McWilliam, Stephen Ainslie, Mike Vernel, Scott McGinley, Rhys Davies, Ross Weston CAPTAIN. Replacements: Conor McEvoy, Reece Patterson, Paul Mundell, Cameron Smith, Ruaraidh Smith.Glasgow Hawks: Sean Yacoubian; Erland Oag, Paddy Kelly, Jack Steele, Kerr Gossman; Hagan Schulte, Adam Lowrie; Stephen Findlay, Grant Stewart, Gary Strain, Andrew Kirkland, Andrew Linton, Steven Leckey, Matt Smith, Tommy Spinks CAPTAIN. Replacements: Scott Rodgers, Chris Barnes, Ross Miller, David Milne, Robbie Houliston. BT Premiership Round 18 ResultsCurrie 25-5 Glasgow HawksAyr 48-12 WatsoniansStirling County 13-29 Heriot’sGala 28-46 BoroughmuirMelrose 34-7 Hawick