Broughton effectively blew any slim hopes of winning the title as they lost 15-37 at a windy and cold Hawick Linden.

No-one expected anything other than a tough battle against the League Leaders and it didn't take long for the hosts to stamp their authority on the game. 

Broughton surrendered possession from a scrum in the 9th minute and the Linden winger put a tricky kick behind Matthews and the big centre could do little other than knock the ball dead.  From the resultant 5 metre scrum, the Linden back line worked the ball across the field for a try in the corner.  5-0.

It might have been a different outcome had the local referee had the balls to punish one of the Linden players for a Vickery-esque blatant trip just prior to the try.  He had a word with the offender and it was sheer disbelief when the play resumed with a scrum.  No penalty awarded at all.  Incredible stuff!  Not sure what message this sends out to the young Hawick ball-boys who one day hope to be playing along at Mansfield Park.

Lenihan had a great opportunity to get Broughton back into the game just a couple of minutes after, however as he hugged the touchline after making a break, the Irishman decided to try and go through the defender instead of the offload to Urquhart.

Linden were awarded one of several confusing penalties awarded by the match official after Urquhart was adjudged to have 'boshed' a home player by tackling without the use of his arms.  The resultant kick hit the post and Urquhart passed to Pannell to clear the danger.  Sadly, his kick was lost in the wind and it stayed infield.  Quick thinking by the Linden full back (not something I ever envisaged having to write in this report!) saw space on the opposite touchline and his crossfield kick had Lenihan in all sorts of trouble. 

His attempted call for the mark was in vain and the No13 secured the ball and ran in for a try.  10-0.

There was a glimmer of hope for the visitors with 5 minutes of the half to go when Linden were penalised for not rolling away and Bortolo slotted over the kick. 10-3.

Turning round at the break just 7 points adrift would have given Coach Bonner hope however the next points came to the home side on the stroke of half-time.  The Linden winger won the foot race against Lenihan chasing his own kick through.  15-3.

The second half started in the same mode as the first, with Broughton conceding early points, this time it was a penalty awarded for Broughton being offside.  18-3.

Worse was to follow in the 50th minute when Urquhart was sensationally sin-binned for what the referee claimed was another illegal tackle by the Kiwi, this time going in with the shoulder.  From the penalty, the home side claimed their bonus point try which was converted.  25-3.

The Broughton title hopes appeared to disappear as the dark Borders sky started to form and the lights went out on this game in the 65th minute when a Linden rolling maul brought further misery.  The conversion rubbed further salt into the wounds and at 34-3 it was grim viewing for the travelling support of Sandy Scott and Graeme Roberts!

A Linden penalty for something rugby related put the score to 37-3 and with 10 minutes to go, it was all over bar the shouting.

However, the never say die Broughton spirit was brought into play, albeit too little too late and when Harper was on the end of Heenan's dazzling break through midfield to score, it was a little consolation to take back on the bus.  37-8.