However, things didn't start well for the young Greens with traffic difficulties in reaching the ground and an enforced reshuffle of the starting line-up due to an injury to Chris Turnbull in the warm-up.

Playing into the wind and rain, Hawick's defensive shortcomings were exposed after 18 minutes when, following a missed penalty by the home side, three Academy players left the 22 drop out to each other which resulted in the Peebles second row collecting the ball and crossing the line for an unconverted try. A penalty from the hosts extended their lead to 8-0.

On the half-hour mark, a fine handling move saw Hawick winger Shaun Desport score in the corner. However, Peebles added to their tally with a penalty before the break to go in 11-5 up.

With the elements now in their favour, the Academy drew level through the boot of Gary Johnstone.



From here on both sides went hammer and tongs at each other, with the turning point in the match coming just after the hour mark when one of the home flankers was yellow-carded.

Hawick skipper Keith Hedley turned down the penalty, opting for the scrum which saw the visitors camped on the home side's line. This bout of pressure eventually resulted in Kiwi Blair Mckenzie going over for the touchdown, which was converted by Johnstone.

This score proved to be vital for the Teries as the home side pulled out all the stops to force the win. However, the Academy battled hard until the final whistle to earn a hard-fought victory.

In what was a tough match, every man played his part for the Academy, with Keith Hedley in particular leading by example throughout.