Hawks’ victory boosts survival hopes… and leaves Accies on brink
Glasgow Hawks gave their hopes of staying in the Tennent’s Premiership for 2020/21 a massive boost by defeating Edinburgh Accies on Saturday, the latter with it all now to do to avoid relegation.
Hawks went to Raeburn Place and toughed this one out 17-0, meaning Andy Hill’s men are ninth in the table with one game remaining while Accies are left bottom on 27 points with two games left.
With the matches to come for Accies against the top two in the shape of Currie Chieftains and Marr, they will now have to really go some to complete the great escape.
A Liam Brims penalty put Hawks 3-0 up in the first half and then Accies lost key man Ruairi Campbell to injury.
The visitors then scored a crucial try just before the interval, Ryan Sweeney going over with Brims converting.
When a good break by Lyall Archer set-up Scotland Under-20 cap Max Priestly for Hawks’ second try, again converted by Brims, it was 17-0 and the visitors were not going to give that up.
At the other end of the table the top four sides, who are all safely into the play-offs, all recorded triumphs at the weekend.
Leaders Marr were just 19-17 up after 40 minutes away to Aberdeen Grammar, but they made sure of the points in style with 33 points after the break.
Benedict Grant, with a hattrick of tries, and Richard Dalgleish with a double led the way for the men from Troon in the 52-17 win.
A late try by young Hamish Ferguson, converted by Gregor Hunter, made sure that second-placed Currie came out on top 28-24 at Musselburgh after a great battle.
Third-placed Hawick continued their amazing run of form, an 11th league win on the spin coming away at Border rivals Jed-forest. Andrew Mitchell scored three tries in the 44-22 victory.
And fourth-placed Selkirk edged out GHA 13-12 at Philiphaugh.
Meanwhile, Biggar will be in the top flight next year aftertheyliftedthetennent’s National League Division One title after a convincing win at Stirling Wolves on Saturday.