Tennent's Velvet Shield

Only a true gentleman of the game like the Hawick Linden president could see his side go down 68-10 in the Tennent's Velvet Shield, as they did to Gordonians at a windswept Countesswells, and still describe it as a ''great day out for the club.''

The Borderers put up a brave show but fell to the points-scoring prowess of Jason Watt, whose four tries provided 20 points, and Kerry Williams, whose try and nine conversions added another 23.

Todd Patterson, Greig Wylie, Paul Hudson, Roger Harrison, and Charlie Richards got the other touchdowns, while John Tait landed a penalty and converted the late penalty try for the visitors. The match was marred by the knee injury sustained by Linden's No.8 Alan Telfer.

In National League Division 1, Hillhead/Jordanhill had tries from David Muir and Alan Blackstock to thank for their 13-9 win at Everholm, which keeps them in second place and dents Annan's promotion hopes, their points coming from three Gordon Carmichael penalties.

Langholm lost out in the closing minutes when Trinity Accies' Kevin McLuskey added a penalty to his conversion of Simon Forbes' try. Ross Parker's try and Mark Reid's penalty were the Langholm counters but it was not enough to improve on their third-top place.

Murrayfield Wanderers and Ross High stay first and second in Division 2 courtesy of two late penalties, High's Colin Mercer adding the three points to his conversion of Gary Ingles' try, two Ian Banks tries having given Edinburgh University the lead.

At Jenny Moore's Field, Craig Renton's try and David Shiel's penalty saw St Boswells lead Murrayfield Wanderers 8-7 going into the final minutes, but, having converted Chris Dove's try earlier, Marius Roodman got the penalty that ensured promotion for the capital side.

Andrew Hughes' penalty was all Allan Glen's had to show for the weekend. The 13-3 defeat at the hands of Perthshire, who have an average of almost 40 points a game, was no disgrace, although it did nothing for Glen's promoton hopes.

In Division 4, Clydebank left it late to win, beating Ardrossan 25-21 in injury time, while Highland won 69-17 at Penicuik.

Carnoustie stayed in the promotion hunt in Division 5 by inflicting a 13-8 defeat on Helensburgh.

Wins for Cumnock, RAF Lossiemouth and Hamilton means nothing changes at the top of Division 6.