Sonians leave Hawick with nothing but remain on top

’Sonians could only muster two penalties by Brian Walls in a first half that saw Gary Johnstone and John Coutts touch down for the Borderers, and Neil Renwick added a penalty. Myreside skipper Mark Rennie claimed a second half try, converted by Walls, who also booted another penalty.

Hawick, desperate for a win that would keep them in the battle for a return to the top flight, had another brace of tries from Coutts and two additional penalties for a 28-16 success that moves them into second spot in the table, four points behind ’Sonians, while Glasgow Hawks – whose match was postponed – are a further point in arrears with a game in hand.

Stewart’s Melville had to settle for a share of the points with Biggar after a hard-fought encounter at Inverleith. The hosts were left ruing their inability to capitalise on an ill-disciplined performance from the visitors who had two players sin binned.

Tries from Ben Manning and Chris Damsteegt plus a Seb Trotter penalty gave StewMel a 13-6 interval lead – Craig Parker booting two penalties for Biggar. Two more penalties from Trotter came either side of a brace by Parker, leaving the hosts with a seven point advantage entering the final 15 minutes. But Biggar raised the pace for a final flourish and hauled themselves level when Hata Wilbore atoned for an earlier yellow card by plunging over from close range to snatch a try which Parker converted to restore parity and ensure a tense finale. Trotter had one more opportunity to snatch the win, but he tugged a last minute penalty attempt wide, leaving the scores tied at 19-19.

Elsewhere, Musselburgh took all five points from their 37-7 win over Kirkcaldy at Stoneyhill to maintain their challenge in RBS Championship B.

Haddington welcomed  Murrayfield Wanderers for what proved to be a tight  encounter, with the visitors  prevailing 12-10.

Meanwhile, Heriot’s had their trip to meet Dundee High on Premiership duty called off and there was frustration for  Edinburgh Accies who travelled to face Melrose only for the  referee to postpone the match.