Extract from match programme dated 7th November 2009 (Linden v's Helensburgh RFC - league):
Today’s teams have met once before on 3 February 2007. Linden made the long and ultimately unsuccessful journey to Ardencaple, Helensburgh in the first round of the National Bowl competition. Taking on opponents from National League Division Three, the Hawick side was not at their best and their tackling was not up to scratch, while too many silly mistakes also contributed to their downfall.
It was poor defending which let the home side in for two converted tries and, with Helensburgh also kicking a penalty, Linden trailed 17-0 at the interval.
A John Tait penalty opened the visitors scoring but the home team struck back straight away with their third touchdown. The Royal Blues best spell ended with a penalty try when Graeme Anderson was illegally held back. John Tait’s conversion brought the score to 22-10 but Helensburgh were not to be denied the final try which was converted.
Overall it was a disappointing performance from Linden’s players who, if they had played to their potential, could well have beaten their bigger opponents. The referee did not help being extremely lenient with killing of the ball at the breakdown.
On the plus side, Brian Wear put in another great performance and it was pleasing to see Steven Beattie back for the Volunteer side. Daniel Finnigan helped out in providing front row cover and made his first appearance for the Linden.
Team: D Gray, L Robson, R Lauder, M McCall, G Anderson, B Wear (captain), S Campbell; G Wardle, S Harkness, K Mabon, J Scott, K Murray, S Bouglas, C Smith, J Tait. Replacements: G Richardson, G Stirling, S Beattie, D Finnigan.
10 YEARS AGO (6 November 1999)
Hawick Linden 29, Langholm 2nds 10
Team: R Patterson, L Traynor, A Young, G Wilson, J Charters, G Robertson, K Reid; S Levell, C Murray, M Bannerman, C Douglas, K Storey, R Black, S McDonnell, D Forrest (capt.); Replacements: K Murray, D Millar, R Graham, A MacAulay, C Black
Scorers: Tries: Traynor 3, Charters, Robertson; Cons: Robertson 2
20 YEARS AGO (4 November 1989)
Hawick Linden 4, Heriots 2nds 14
Team: Derek Gray, B Renwick, A Young, K Lawson, M Elliot, C Sutherland (capt.), D Oliver; K Beverley, N Renwick, S Hogg, J Pittillo, R Nichol, D Forrest, N Wilson, J Tait
Scorers: Try: Hogg
50 YEARS AGO (7 November 1959)
Hawick Linden 3, Hawick Trades 6
Scorer: Pen: G Rennie
60 YEARS AGO (5 November 1949)
Hawick Linden 6, Peebles 6
Team: J Lindsay, J Tofts, E Herbert, R Townsend, D Slattery, J Turnbull, H Mitchell; D Ford, A Robson, R Anderson, J Anderson, R Crozier, R Corbett, J Edgar, T Scott
Scorers: Tries: Townsend, Turnbull
Extract from match programme dated 24th October 2009 (Linden v's Lenzie RFC - league):
The only record of a previous meeting with Lenzie was in the Shield Final at Dumfries Sevens back in 1989. Linden suffered a first round exit, beaten 24-14 by Gala YM. Alistair Young scored two tries and a conversion and Stuart Beattie was the other scorer.
The Linden then moved into the consolation Shield and in the first round tries by Young, Colin Sutherland, Keith Lawson and Andy Thomson (3), plus three conversions by Gary Alexander, gave the Royal Blues a 30-12 victory over Walkerburn. In the semi-final, Linden scored 28 points without reply against the ‘Quins. Young (2), Beattie, Lawson and Thomson were the try scorers and Alexander landed four conversions.
The Final saw Lenzie take what looked a match winning lead before the Linden staged a comeback. However, a late try for Lenzie secured the victory by 30-22. Linden try scorers were Sutherland (2), Beattie and Young. Alexander added two conversions and Young one. Team: S Beattie, C Sutherland, A Young, A Thomson (captain); G Alexander, D Forrest, K Lawson.
Extract from match programme dated 10th October 2009 (Linden v's Marr RFC - league):
We look back today to a game just over 40 years ago when Watsonians 2nd XV visited the Volunteer and were totally overwhelmed. The Linden outclassed the city side in every department of the game. In the set piece, hooker Jack Tait, rendered ample service to his backs, and at the line-out too, the Hawick side were well on top.
The inclusion of Hawick centre Davie Lyall in the side brought a crispness to the Linden attack. Allied with the thrust of Jack Hegarty and the finesse of Ian Chalmers the Linden back division would have been formidable opponents for many senior sides. A striking feature of the match was the drive of the Linden pack. Their city opponents were unable to stem the relentless drives up field which accounted for so much of the Royal Blues success. Alan Reid, at scrum-half, was on top form, giving his opposite number, Morrison, no leeway. At the scrums in particular, Reid’s nippiness was a constant threat to the Watsonians back row. They could do little or nothing to curb his exuberance.
The Linden went into a three-point lead with only two minutes of the first half gone. Alex Launder landed a penalty goal from the ‘Sonians 25-yard line. The Hawick side added another three points to their tally after 20 minutes, when schoolboy Alan Crozier, playing on the left wing, touched down in the corner, the scoring pass coming from Hegarty. In the closing minutes of the first half the Linden went further ahead through a try by full-back Eric Marshall which emanated from a line-out on the opposite side of the pitch. The Linden gained possession and the ball travelled through six pairs of hands before reaching Marshall, who was up in the line and scraped over in the corner.
With the second half only three minutes old, Linden forward Tom Kennedy barged his way through a seemingly impenetrable wall of defenders to touch down under the posts for Lauder to slot the conversion. At this stage in the game Watsonians staged a last ditch fight back and their game took a turn for the better. However, it was the Linden who were to score next. They fought their way out of defence and stormed up field. They had an overlap of three men with Marshall up in the line, and it was he who passed outside to Chalmers who split the defence in half to touch down.
After 18 minutes the visitors came the nearest yet to opening their account when centre D. R. Harvey broke away from the Linden 25 and booted the ball up field, only to see it gathered by full-back Marshall, dangerously close to his line. The city team’s rejuvenated play was rewarded a little later when full-back Forrest put over a good penalty goal. Two minutes later they crossed the home line when G. B. R. Candlish breached the Linden defence to touch down.
In the closing minutes of the game Linden winger, Tony Marshall, scored the try of the game, side-stepping three defenders to cross the line and touch down. Lauder put over the relatively difficult conversion to make the final score, Linden 25, Watsonians 6.
Linden: E Marshall, A Crozier, D Lyall, I Chalmers, A Marshall, J Hegarty, A Reid; J McDonnell, J Tait, D Aitken, W Russell, J Sommerville, T Kennedy (captain), A Lauder, W Davies.
The 2nds also had an even more convincing win, thrashing Edinburgh Accies 3rds 56-3. Although the scorers are not recorded, the team was: J Wilson (captain), S Scott, I McHutchison, W Riddell, G Skeen, D White, L Robertson; H Brown, B Emmerson, A Taylor, G Scott, A Drummond, S Bruce, R Hislop, N Turnbull.
Extract from match programme dated 26th September 2009 (Linden v's Forresters RFC - league):
Today we look back to the only previous meeting of the Linden and Forrester when the Linden made the trip to Edinburgh on 12 October 2002 for a BT Scottish Cup 2nd Round tie. The game ended in controversy with John Tait kicking what he thought was the winning penalty, both touch judges agreed raising their flags only for the referee to overrule. To the majority of spectators it looked good but alas it was not to be.
After the turn around, Linden began to weaken and, with their scrum under pressure, Forrester scored a converted try and shortly after took the lead with a penalty. Linden fought back but then came the penalty incident and, although the Royal Blues gave everything, it was to no avail. Final score: Forrester 10, Hawick Linden 9.
Linden: G Robertson, C Black, C Richardson, G Richardson, B Shiel, R Patterson, L Traynor; M Butler, J Tait, S Levell, B Law, D Beattie, C Robson, S Hinton, K Brown (captain). Replacements: S Beattie (for Hinton) and D Millar (for Levell).
We have also met Forrester twice at Carrickfergus Sevens. The Linden won 17-5 in 2004, try scorers being C Richardson (who also kicked a conversion), G Cannon and B Hill. In 2006 Forrester triumphed 22-12, M McCall and
20 YEARS AGO (23 September 1989)
Hawick Linden 12, Selkirk 2nds 19
Team: A Young, B Renwick, S McDonnell, K Lawson, G Davies, A Renwick, David Gray (captain); K Baillie, N Renwick, S Hogg, G Alexander, D Ballantyne, D Forrest, R Graham, D Naylor
Scorers: Try: Davies; Con: Gray; Pens: Gray 2
Hawick Linden 2nds 27, Selkirk 3rds 13
Team: M Palmer, A Renton, D Wright, M Elliot, K Harris, Derek Gray, D Oliver; R Halliday, M Edgar, G McCulloch, J Pittillo, K Scott, G Cairns, P Linton (M Taylor), A Johnson
Scorers: Tries: Cairns, Elliot, Palmer, Pittillo, Taylor; Cons: Gray 2; Pen: Gray
30 YEARS AGO (29 September 1979)
Hawick Linden 36, Royal High 2nds 19
Team: Allan Thomson, D Taylor, J Millar, D Wright, B Renwick, A Walker, K Cottrell; J Rae, W Murray, R Nichol, A Butler, R Charters, K McGaughey, K Campbell, B Nichol (captain)
Scorers: Tries: Butler, McGaughey 2, Murray, Taylor 2, Thomson; Cons: Thomson 3, McGaughey
Hawick Linden 2nds 20, Gala YM Gypsies 10
Team: D Lyall, E Reid, I Armstrong, J Paxton, D Graham, B Logan, A Reid; B Millar, A Stirling, K Baillie, N Turnbull, D Neilson, A Howe, B Dickson (captain), D Naylor
Scorers: Tries: Graham 2, Lyall, E Reid; Cons: Lyall 2
Extract from match programme dated 12th September 2009 (Linden v's Gordonians RFC - league):
Today we look back to the only previous meeting of the Linden and Gordonians at Countesswells in the Tennent’s Velvet Shield Quarter Final on Sunday 7 March 1999. It was a match shrouded in pre-match controversy as SRU red tape forced the players to play on a Sunday despite both clubs being happy to play on the Saturday. However, rules did not allow matches to be played on the same day as international fixtures as Scotland faced Italy at 2.30pm on the Saturday.
At the time Gordonians were in Premier Division Three and, with the Linden badly hit by injuries and players unavailable, the last thing the Royal Blues needed was to come up against a big pack which is exactly what they were confronted with.
Things were made a lot worse as they had to replace four men with injuries and then disaster struck when, with 20 minutes remaining, Andrew Telfer suffered a dislocated knee cap, an injury that ended his career. With the tie won at this point by Gordonians as they lead 47-3, the referee took no pity and made the Linden play out the 80 minutes which took the final scoreline to 68-10.
On a waterlogged pitch, in parts, and playing with a bitterly cold, gale-force wind at their backs, Linden got off to a bad start, conceding two early scores. Though fighting back, the forwards were unable to secure enough ball and at the turn around were 26-3 down, John Tait having kicked an early penalty goal for the
After the change-over it was a bit of an uphill struggle but, even when down to 14 men, Linden kept trying and forced a penalty try as Kevin Brown was impeded in the act of scoring, Tait converting. Try scorers for Gordonians were Jason Watt (4), Kerry Williams, Todd Paterson, Greig Wylie, Paul Hudson, Roger Harrison and Charlie Richards. Williams kicked nine conversions.
Though outplayed at times, Linden never gave up trying with PSA and Wanderers players Ryan Philbin and Kevin Brown showing up well. Debutant Nikki Walker also displayed his pace, putting in a number of crashing tackles. His most recent game in Aberdeen was a lot more memorable, scoring for Scotland against Canada last November. Gordonians went on to defeat St Boswells in the Semi-Final before losing to Jed-Forest in the Murrayfield Final.
Linden: K Murray, L Traynor, R Allott, W Coltman, N Walker, R Philbin, G Robertson; D Allott, A Brown, R Graham, J Tait, A Telfer, S McDonnell, N Renwick, D Forrest; Replacements: K Mitchell, S Levell, M Bannerman, K Brown.
Playing the game on the Sunday allowed the good folks of Hawick and Aberdeen to swell the crowd at the Scotland v Italy game to a massive 26,756.
Extract from match programme dated 5th September 2009 (Linden v's Ross High RFC - league):
Today’s look back in time features the only previous meeting at the Volunteer Park of today’s teams on 13 October 2007.
Play was even for the first 20 minutes with both teams searching for an opening which eventually came when one of the visiting centres spilled possession. Brian Wear then showed his alertness to pick up and outpace the Ross High defence from half-way to score at the posts. Steven Beattie notched the conversion.
The second home try was an absolute peach. The move began after Beattie had fielded a clearance kick deep in his own territory. His long pass found Steven Bouglas who took off up the touchline. The latter’s angled run across the despairing defence saw him link up with Gary Wardle who shot through to score.
Soon after the interval, Wear was again in the thick of things, linking up well with his forwards. Greg Cunningham also played an integral part in the next passage of play, after being involved in the early stages of the move before finishing matters off with a try having won a race to the line. Beattie landed the extras.
Linden then let Ross High back into the match after a series of missed tackles resulted in their big No. 8 bulldozing over the line for a converted score. With time running out a great drive by Barrie Keown set up Wear on a run to the line for the bonus point touchdown. Again Beattie was good with the conversion.
With the last move of the game the visitors were awarded a penalty try when Cammie Crozier got in the way of the Ross High winger’s legs as he made for a loose ball over the line. All in all a good result for the Linden for whom Wear, Bouglas and Graham Colville were the pick of the backs, while Keown, Bruce Law and Cunningham were to the fore in the pack. Final score: Hawick Linden 26, Ross High 14.
Linden: L Robson, S Beattie, C Black, G Colville, S Bouglas, B Wear, G Stirling; C Crozier, J Tait, K Mabon, B Law, J Scott, G Cunningham, G Wardle, B Keown; Replacements: K Murray, R Lauder, D Miller.
Linden’s win kept them at the top of East League Division One with a 100% record of six wins from six. Ross High were down in fifth spot having played a game less but with three defeats. The
By the time the return game was played in February 2008, Linden had lost three times and Ross High only once more. A gale-force wind ruined the game as a spectacle but Ross High’s 31-12 victory all but clinched the League title as, crucially, they had picked up a bonus point in every game they played since the earlier meeting at the Volunteer.
Extract from match programme dated 22nd August 2009 (Linden v's Hawick YM - friendly):
T
oday we look back twenty years to a meeting between our two sides on a Saturday morning at Mansfield Haugh, on 4th February 1989 to be exact.Linden won the toss and decided to play against the wind and rain in the first half. On a very soft pitch, YM kicked off and were soon in the lead with a Graham Renwick penalty goal. Kenny Robson increased the Redskins advantage when he scored in the corner from a scrum near the Linden line. Renwick kicked two more penalty goals to make the half-time tally 13-0 for the YM, a lead which never looked enough as the Linden forwards, well led by Stuart Hogg, were in good form at lineout and scrum.
After the interval it was all Linden. Their forwards got really on top, driving YM back time and again to their line. When YM tried to break out of their 22 a handling move broke down and Kenny Halliday was up to hack on and win the chase to the line. With Linden driving forward and keeping the ball among the pack, two penalties were awarded which took the Royal Blues ever nearer to the YM line where Alan Brown made the final burst to set up scrum half Derek Oliver to score. Halliday converted and soon after leveled the tally with a well taken penalty when the home side had infringed.
Constant Linden pressure on the YM line resulted in the defence getting into a proper tangle and Colin Sutherland took advantage to touch down for a try. Halliday converted from far out. The YM were reduced to six forwards through injuries and, from a scrum on the Redskins line, No. 8 David Naylor picked up and burst over. With ten minutes of play remaining, the referee blew for no-side, much to the relief of the players. This was a good result for the Linden whose forwards took great credit, sending back a stream of good ball for the backs to work on. In the backs, scrum half Derek Oliver was in good form as were centres Keith Lawson and Andy Thomson.
Final score: Hawick YM 13, Hawick Linden 23.
Linden: C Sutherland, M Elliot, K Lawson, A Thomson, A Young, K Halliday, D Oliver; R Nichol, A Brown, S Hogg (captain), G Alexander, A Dunne, J Tait, D Forrest, D Naylor.
In the 2nds game, despite playing with the wind in the first half,
Linden 2nds: R Black, M Palmer, A Mallin, S Huggan, D Reid, M Grant, Derek Gray; A Stirling (captain), N Renwick, G McCulloch, J Pittillo, B Nichol, P Linton, G Cairns, N Wilson.
Extract from match programme dated 25th April 2009 (Linden v's Aberdeen University (Plate semi-final):
The
Our best effort in the Shield was reaching the quarter finals in 1998/99 before going out to Gordonians. In the Bowl we progressed a round further to the semis where we met Murrayfield Wanderers on
In almost perfect conditions on a firm pitch,
After the change over Murrayfield kicked two penalty goals and the referee failed to observe a home player kicking an opponent on the ground. However, a spell of pressure by the
With time running out Wand’s piled on the pressure to score three more tries, all of which were converted. Although deserving winners, the final score somewhat flattered the
Hopefully the
Linden: Ryan Patterson, Lee Traynor, Richard Allott, Graham Wilson (Michael Everett), Alastair Young, Graeme Robertson, Ross Armstrong; Scott Levell (Graham Scott), Alan Brown, Robert Graham, Andy Brogan, John Tait, Kevin Brown (Graham Allott), Scott McDonnell, Neil Wilson; Subs not used: Scott Hinton, Craig Murray, Keith Murray.
Extract from match programme dated 18th April 2009 (Linden v's Crieff & Strathearn RFC (Plate quarter-final):
In this season’s Cup programmes we have looked back at our involvement in the Scottish Cup and Shield ten seasons ago in 1998/99. Having beaten Birkmyre 48-0 and Hamilton 35-24, the
The second round draw gave us a long trip to Ayrshire to face
In the second half, with
From the subsequent play,
Man of the match was Graham Wilson with a brace of tries, solid in defence and giving the
The ‘Dean were well prepared for the long journey home with a generous carry out to assist celebrations. Alas, with the bus boot jammed shut, our thirsty conquerors were gutted. Their dismay was briefly lifted by a crate of beer from their hosts. However, closer inspection revealed it was out of date and one feels
Linden: G Wilson, L Traynor, R Allott, W Coltman, S McDonnell, N Scott, G Robertson; R Graham, A Brown, D Allott, A Brogan, G Alexander, J Tait, N Renwick, D Forrest (captain).
Extract from match programme dated 4th April 2009:
Just over 14 years ago the
The Royal Blues took the lead after a great forward bout of handling took play to the Boroughmuir line. From a scrum Gray broke blind and dived over. Midway through the first half the
After turning around 24 points ahead the
A great result for the
The 2nds did not do so well. Tries from Graeme Robertson and Michael Stanger, together with two conversions from Rob Black, were not enough to avoid a 36-14 defeat to Boroughmuir 3rds. Team: G Robertson, G Cockburn, C Black, M Stanger, S Hogg, R Black, L Traynor; I McGlone, S Levell, T Bickers, A Renton, R Aitken, J Grieve, Stuart Beattie, Scott Beattie.
Extract from match programme dated 24th January 2009:
The Six Nations opener against
In a game that was for the most part one-way traffic,
Stuart Hogg then finished off a handling move by the backs with a touchdown.
From a short penalty move in front of the posts the ball was worked out to Elliot who outpaced the defence to score and then Halliday jinked through the defence and linked up with prop Hogg who completed his hat-trick of tries. After another short penalty move, Gary Alexander strode through the visitors defence to score at the posts. Good work by the forwards from a line-out paved the way for Paxton to score the final try. Halliday converted six of the second half tries for a personal return of 11 kicks from 12 attempts. Pontardawe scored a consolation try and a penalty goal.
For the Linden, Paxton came on to a good game, stand-off Halliday kept his line moving and Thomson at centre put in some powerful bursts. Of the forwards, Renwick looked good in the loose and captain Stuart Hogg put in a top class display. If his three tries weren’t remarkable enough for a prop, he managed another for the 2nds the following day against Edinburgh Accies.
It is with a great deal of reluctance that your writer admits to an error in the Hawick News report whereby it was infact Ally Dunne who strode through the visitors defence for a try and not his middle row partner.
Linden: C Sutherland, M Elliot, K Lawson, A Thomson, S Beattie, K Halliday, C Paxton; A Stirling, N Renwick, S Hogg (captain), G Alexander, A Dunne, G Cairns, D Forrest, D Naylor.
Match Programme date 29/11/8
Nine years ago on
The first half never really got going with both teams making too many unforced errors. The Linden’s two first half tries were well worked, the first after forward-won ball moved along the line and full-back Ryan Patterson joined in to send winger Alistair Young off on a determined run along the touchline. When challenged, Young slipped an inside pass to flanker Kevin Brown who stormed over the line to score.
The second followed another fine run on the wing by Young after centre Richard Allott had carved through the defence and winger Jamie Charters wriggled in at the corner. Selkirk pulled back seven points right on half-time to bring the score back to 10-7 to the
After the turn around
In the
Linden: R Patterson, J Charters, G Wilson, R Allott, A Young, G Robertson, L Traynor; D Millar, C Murray, S Levell, J Tait, K Storey, S McDonnell, K Brown, D Forrest (captain); Subs: K Murray (for Charters) and R Black (for Brown).
Match Programme date 22/11/08:
Part 1:
In the programme for our 1st Round match against Earlston two weeks ago, we looked back to the
A fair walk from the changing rooms was required to the pitch which was soft but otherwise conditions were perfect although an eccentric referee whose decisions had both sides bamboozled did not help.
Royal Dick worked a nice try in the corner before reducing their arrears with a penalty goal. They then spurned a couple of what looked like easy points from penalties in favour of attacking scrums which realised nothing. Tait goaled his third penalty with ease and from then on
A good victory for
Linden: G Wilson, L Traynor, K Murray, R Allott, S McDonnell, N Scott, G Robertson; S Levell, A Brown, R Graham, J Tait, G Alexander, A Telfer, N Renwick, D Forrest; Subs: D Allott (for Brown), R Patterson (for Wilson), B Shiel (for Telfer), B Hamilton.
Part 2:
With today being our second ex-players day, we have an additional look back feature going back in our history at ten year intervals in the hope that it will rekindle some memories for our guests who will no doubt be ready to reminisce over days gone by and recall how much better the game/teams were in their day, etc., etc.
10 YEARS AGO (
Hawick Linden 8, Selkirk 2nds 13
Team: G Wilson, L Traynor,
Scorers: Try: Forrest; Pen: Tait
20 YEARS AGO (
Hawick Linden 23, Gala Star 18
Team: C Sutherland, B Renwick, K Lawson, A Thomson, A Mallin, K Halliday, D Gray; R Nichol, N Renwick, S Hogg (captain), G Alexander, A Dunne, G Cairns,
Scorers: Tries: Sutherland 2, Thomson 2; Cons: Gray, Halliday; Pen: Halliday
Hawick Linden 2nds 22, Gala Star 2nds 16
Team: M Palmer, M Elliot,
Scorers: Tries: Tait 2, Renwick, Martin; Pens: Renwick, Tait
30 YEARS AGO (
Hawick Linden 6, Gala YM 8
Team: Allan Thomson, D Taylor, D Lyall, J Millar, J Aitken, D Nicholson, A Robson; B Millar,
Scorers: Pens: Taylor, Lyall
Gala YM Gypsies 8, Hawick Linden 2nds 0
Team: A Walker, E Reid, B Hutton, B Logan (captain), J Paxton, A Reid, A Whillans; R Halliday, K McAllan, A Pow, K Baillie,
40 YEARS AGO (
Scorers: Try: W Gray; Con: A Lauder; Scorers: Tries: J Kennedy, J Lindsay
Pen: A Lauder
60 YEARS AGO (
Gala 2nds 0, Hawick Linden 6 Hawick Linden 8, Hawick YMCA 0
Scorers: Tries: R
Match Programme date 07/11/08:
Last season we started to look back at the Linden’s Scottish Cup campaign of 1998/99 where we won 48-0 at Birkmyre in the first round and then secured an impressive 35-24 victory over Hamilton here at the Volunteer.
The third round draw gave us another home draw, and what a cracker it was, this time against Premier Division Two side Edinburgh Academicals. The Linden put in an incredible performance in a closely fought encounter with the Raeburn Place men scoring a try on the final whistle to clinch victory.
The Royal Blues were always in the hunt and, with a little luck, could quite easily have sneaked a massive upset. The Linden players could hold their heads high, pushing their more illustrious opponents all the way.
Before a large crowd Linden proved the better team in the opening 20 minutes. John Tait had a good run up the touchline then, with the home forwards tearing into their much heavier opposition, the Accies were put on the back foot. From a scrum No. 8 Derek Forrest breached the defence to send scrum-half Graeme Robertson over at the corner. A magnificent touchline conversion by Tait sealed a great try.
Lee Traynor and Graham Wilson then inter-passed in a likely scoring effort but were stopped short. As the half neared an end the heavier Accies forwards secured more ball and after a period of pressure on the home line scored under the posts, the conversion leveling the scores.
Linden started the second half hungry to score but were stopped by some good, solid defensive work. On the Accies first incursion into the Linden 22 their heavier pack scored a push-over try, much against the run of play and especially hard for the Linden pack which had held their opponents.
Linden continued to attack but could not breach the visitors defence. An interception by Traynor looked an almost certain score but he couldn’t collect the ball cleanly. At only 12-7 down the home side sensed another score could prove to be the winner. By now though the Linden forwards were tiring and even the introduction of Ronnie Nichol could not produce a winning score.
In only the Accies third foray into Linden territory in the second period, they scored their winning try right at the death. A cruel end for the home side who could rightly claim on possession and territory they deserved a much better outcome but what a great performance by all the Linden players in what was an exciting cup tie.
The Hawick News remarked that it was a pity the Edinburgh Accies did not wait around in the clubrooms to see some excellent after game entertainment. They would have been impressed as they surely were by the on-field performance.
Linden: G Wilson, L Traynor, R Allott, S McDonnell, R Patterson, N Scott, G Robertson; R Graham, A Brown, S Levell, J Tait, G Alexander, G Allott, N Renwick, D Forrest (captain). Replacements: R Nichol for S Levell, B Hamilton for G Wilson.
Edinburgh Accies: S Burns, R Porter, G Benekos, F Swanston, J Howieson, S Dow, P Simpson; D Harrison, D Harley, G Caldwell, J Peauvale, R Boyd, R Hoole, J Parrott, A Lacey
Referee: Mr C Henderson, Kelso
A meeting was called at the Volunteer Park Sports Club, home of Hawick Linden R.F.C, in July 1971, for the sole purpose of compiling a record of the club, those present being as follows.
President - R Crozier
Vice President - T Storrie
Hon. Secretary - J Wilson
Ex-Committe Man - R Marshall
Also present were five members of the original Hawick Linden side, these being...
George Wilson ( son of the founder )
Jock Beattie
Tom Gilligan
Harry Storrie
G Halliday
The following were the FACTS gathered ....
During the season 1921 - 22, a group of young lads, whilst playing rugby on the "MILLER'S KNOWES" were gathered together by George Wilson, who then sugested a proper team be formed.
Meetings where held in his home and officials where appointed ....
President - George Wilson
Captain - Wilf Scott
Vice -Captain - George Wilson (Jnr)
All the boys came from the Linden Terrace / Douglas Road and general area of the Wellogate district, so the name of the club was taken from the first named.
A game was arranged against "Rodona Star", and played on a pitch where Wilton Lodge Park Tennis Courts are now sited.The result - a big defeat for the Linden 66 - 0., but in a subsequent return game the score was only 3 - 0.
We believe these to be the first properly organised matches played by Linden Rugby Football Club.
The following season Linden was admitted to the Semi - Junior League, which they won for two seasons.This success attracted many more players, so it was decided to run two teams, the first being upgraded to the Junior League, where they have enjoyed much success to this day.
