Hawick and Kelso chase milestones as Border League final makes welcome return

After an absence of three years, the Border League final returns on Wednesday evening when Hawick take on Kelso at Mansfield Park.

Covid has conspired to disrupt the competition in recent seasons but, as befitting the oldest established rugby union league in the world, there remains plenty at stake for both sides.

Hawick are chasing a landmark 50th triumph while Kelso are seeking their first title since 1987.

A toss of the coin saw the Greens win hosting rights and they will go into the match as warm favourites. Hawick have dominated the Border League since its inception in 1901, winning the first title and a further 48, but you have to go back to 2015 for their last success.

Kelso, by contrast, have won only five – three in the 1930s and another two during their golden period in the 1980s when they briefly reigned supreme in Scottish rugby with a team comprising talents such as Roger Baird, John Jeffrey, Eric Paxton, Alan Tait, Andrew Ker and their former captain Gary Callander, who passed away in December.

A victory over Hawick would be a fitting tribute to Callander but the National League 1 side will be the underdogs against opponents who finished third in the Premiership before losing out to Marr in the play-offs.

“It’s been a disjointed season, to be honest, and Covid has hit it pretty hard but we’ve got a final and we’ll take on Kelso at Mansfield Park,” said John Thorburn, Hawick’s stalwart secretary whose association with the club extends beyond 35 years.

“We’ve got a young coach in Matty Douglas, just 27, and it’s his first season really so we have to compliment him and his coaching staff. He’s installed a feelgood factor at the club and has some good young players coming through.

“The record books show that