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Watsonians 32 Glasgow Hawks 17
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Watsonians first XV began 2008 the way they had ended 2007, with a win, to keep up their hopes of finishing second in Scottish Hydro Electric Premier Division One.
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'Sonians beat Glasgow Hawks 32-17 at Myreside on Saturday to make it three wins in a row in the league and they played some great rugby along the way.
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Home debuts were handed to former GWC pupils Scott Kennedy (class of 2000) and Jamie Wood (class of 2003) in the backs with the former slotting in at full-back following Scott Stumbles return to Australia and Wood keeping his place after a good performance at Melrose pre-Christmas.
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In the pack Steve Lawrie started at hooker, while the back-row was made up of Josh Abraham, Guy Hills and Bernie Hennessey. Hills, the former first XV vice-captain, was making his first appearance for the top team this season.
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The home team started well and were 6-3 up after 15 minutes. Stand-off Andrew Skeen slotted two penalties for 'Sonians while Scotland Sevens man Ruaridh Jackson kicked one for the visitors.
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The rest of the half on a bitterly cold day belonged to Watsonians, but they only had a one point lead at the break to show for it.
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Chances came and went and wing Carl McWilliam, Abraham and Hennessey were in the thick of the action with all three arguably having their best games of the season so far.
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South African Hennessey went agonisingly close to scoring in the 27th minute, but when the first try of the afternoon did come nine minutes later it was well worth the wait.
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McWilliam, Skeen and Kiwi Abraham were all involved in a sweeping move which saw winger Ali Rowe, who continues to have his best campaign for the first XV, outstrip Jackson for pace and dot down on the right. A superb team try and one of the best you will see all season.
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All the good work was done right at the end of the half though as a 11-3 lead soon became 11-10 when Hawks' centre Stewart Smith benefited from some poor tackling to go under the posts for a converted try.
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Half time - Watsonians 11 Glasgow Hawks 10
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Two tries in a minute early in the second half put 'Sonians back on track.
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In the 45th minute second-row Willie Lipp scored a real forwards try and Skeen converted. Ex-Ellon man Lipp and Torrie Callander are now forming a formidable partnership in the second-row and along with the front row of skipper Kyle Traynor, Lawrie and Kian Coertze they were simply too good for Hawks to handle on Saturday.
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Sixty seconds later Hennessey went over after a great move involving Kennedy, McWilliam and the two second row men. It was a great try, converted by Skeen, and was well deserved for Hennessey.
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The game became a bit aged after that with both sides throwing silly passes and struggling to keep the ball, but Skeen showed his class with 18 minutes remaining to jink his way in to claim he bonus point try. The same man converted it.
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An injury-hit Hawks, who had ex-GWC gap year student Marc Davids in the centre, never gave up and scored a last minute try through Jackson who also converted.
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Full time - Watsonians 32 Glasgow Hawks 17
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So, a good win which can hopefully be built on up at relegation threatened Dundee HSFP this Saturday.
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Man of the match - Bernie Hennessey, the man in his second spell at the club having been transformed from a back to a forward, was everywhere on the pitch and put in a great performance.
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Scorers: Watsonians: Tries: Rowe, Lipp, Hennessey, Skeen. Pens: Skeen 2. Cons: Skeen 3.
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Watsonians: S Kennedy; A Rowe, J Wood, D Brown, C McWilliam; A Skeen, E Howe; K Traynor, S Lawrie, K Coertze, T Callander, W Lipp, J Abraham, B Hennessey, G Hills. Subs used: C Sorbie, S Paulo, M Mialo, N Hart. Subs unused: G Wood.
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GH
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 6/1/08
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