Hawick duo halfway to clinching a title double

Hawick Albion provided a much-needed boost to the community by winning the Youth League Under-16 Cup with a 13-10 win over Ayr in the final at Murrayfield earlier this month.

A win at youth level is important to Hawick RFC, one of the few Premiership clubs in Scotland to have its own production line of players and which, both historically and in the present day, has depended on local recruitment.

Meanwhile, Hawick Wanderers, one of two under-18 teams in the town, are focusing on a possible title win in the Borders Semi Junior League, which occupies a place in history as the oldest youth league in world rugby.

Wanderers top the table having won 16 of their 17 matches played. Their remaining match will be against Melrose Wasps who, along with Jed Thistle, are in hot pursuit.

Wasps additionally have two league fixtures with Berwick Colts to fulfil and, if they can win these and their match against Hawick Wanderers, they could tie for the title. On Saturday Wasps showed their winning capability by defeating Selkirk YC 20-7 in the Borders Semi Junior Cup with tries by stand-off Adam Hall, wing Lucas Reid and centre Matthew Klein and a penalty and conversion by Hall.

Jed Thistle, also in a strong position and the only team this season to defeat Hawick Wanderers, complete their league programme with matches against Berwick and Peebles. Thistle have already played home and away to both Melrose Wasps and Hawick Wanderers, losing in January against Wasps but winning earlier this month. Their two matches against ha wick wanderers produced the same results.

Should Melrose Wasps defeat Hawick Wanderers and Jed Thistle win their matches against Berwick and Peebles then a threeway tie will result, requiring a play-off.