Dunbar come from behind to win thriller at Hawick

Dunbar travelled to the Borders for this Edinburgh Region league 2 match. Dunbar had won handsomely at Hallhill earlier in the season but knew things would be different on Quins own patch. Dunbar were without Thomson and Bisset and centre Courtney was injured in warm up and went on the bench as physio attended him.
Hawick immediately took play into the visitors 22 and were awarded an early penalty for offside in front of the posts. The Quins stand – off had no problem slotting over for an early lead after only 1 minute played. The home forwards were putting Dunbar under great pressure and were unlucky not to score but for their hooker being accidently offside. This allowed Dunbar to clear their line but the Quins kept on coming at them. On 10 minutes Dunbar were again guilty at the ruck and the Quins stand- off slotted another penalty. Dunbar from the kick off exerted pressure of their own and after some good ground work by Thornton-Smith were awarded a penalty which Peters slotted over from out wide. The pressure came right back at Dunbar and two excellent tackles by keith courtney kept Quins at bay. The pressure from the home forwards was intense and again they forced the visitors offside. The Quins stand-off again slotted the kick to extend their lead to 6 points.
Dunbar were now just starting to get a grip in this tense match and were awarded a penalty on 28 minutes but the kick just went wide of the upright.
Dunbar were now clicking with forwards and backs working hard to make things work on a very claggy pitch. One such move saw the ball go wide and gary peebles looked to have scored but dropped the ball over the line. Another penalty award to Dunbar was slotted by Peters to reduce Quins lead to 3 points. Almost on half time with the Quins forwards tiring Dunbar almost scored but were adjudged to have passed forward.
HALF TIME
HAWICK HARLEQUINS 9 DUNBAR 6
Dunbar started the second half strongly and were awarded a penalty but the kick went wide. The home team came back up field and were awarded two penalties in quick succession but they only managed to slot over one to extend their lead to 6 points with 7 minutes of the half played.
Dunbar were looking the more likely team to score and certainly looked the fitter. As the final quarter approached good play by the Dunbar forwards saw the ball go out to centre gary peebles and this time he finished off to score out wide. Peters saw his touchline kick sour between the posts to give Dunbar a one point lead. Dunbar were now playing with a lot of confidence and a great solo run from winger James Kelly saw him run in from his own 22 ghosting past the home defence. Peters again slotted over the conversion. Again the visitors gave the border outfit no rest as they came back strongly with continued drives at home line. Quins did a great, backs to the wall defensive show but eventually they would crack. Dunbar prop Andrew Wightman driving over under the posts for a good try converted by Captain jamie peters.
Having looked down and out Dunbar now had the chance with 11 minutes plus stoppage time to deliver the bonus point. Quins were left defending again as Dunbar adopted the pick and go. This saw the visitors penalised as lack of support resulted in a penalty for holding on. The home team took a quick tap and ran the ball out wide to score. The Quins stand- off converted the kick to reduce the lead to eight points. Harlequins now looked the more likely to score as they stepped up speed of the game. The game drew to a close with Dunbar securing a very good win but not with the bonus point. The team spirits were high as they knew this was not an easy place to come and win.
FULL TIME
HAWICK HARLEQUINS 19 DUNBAR 27