Hawick 11 - 17 Ayr

AYR claimed their second successive Border league scalp with a deserved win.

In unrelenting wind and rain Ayr's strong forward pack, allied to the sublime kicking and running skills of their young Taranaki stand-off, Fraser Climo, provided the match-winning foundations.

Yet it was Hawick, fielding two Fijians in a new-look side, who looked the sharper at the start and they took the lead after six minutes with a try that came from good handling from stand-off Neil Renwick, an astute grubber from full back Gary Johnstone, and a follow-up from skipper Keith Hedley.

Ayr hit back with powerful play that finally produced a score when Climo carved his way through for a brilliant solo try which he converted himself.

Climo increased Ayr's lead to 10-5 with a penalty goal. Renwick reduced the gap with a penalty but Climo struck again, setting up a close range try for Glenn Tippett. Climo converted, but a penalty by Hawick replacement Craig Neish gave Hawick a deserved bonus point.