Key Points
- Hawick Linden picked up their first win of the rugby season, beating Dalkeith 73-24 away in Midlothian.
- Hawick Harlequins fell 59-22 away to Edinburgh Northern, dropping their first match of the campaign.
- With league leaders Earlston not playing over the weekend, the loss cost Hawick Harlequins a chance to go top of the table.
- The defeat ended an unbeaten streak for Hawick Harlequins going back to February, when Corstorphine beat them 59-0.
- Saturday’s result was Hawick Linden’s first competitive victory since beating Lomond and Helensburgh 34-10 in April’s national bowl semi-final.
HAWICK (Edinburgh Daily) October 20, 2026 — Hawick’s two representatives in the Arnold Clark East Region League Division 2 experienced contrasting fortunes on Saturday.
Hawick Linden ended their winless start to the campaign by recording a high-scoring 73-24 victory away to Dalkeith. Meanwhile, town rivals Hawick Harlequins suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 59-22 away to Edinburgh Northern.
How Did Hawick Linden Secure Their First Victory of the Campaign?
As reported by Darin Hutson of The Southern Reporter, Hawick Linden produced a dominant offensive display on the road in Midlothian to beat Dalkeith 73-24. The result represents Linden’s first competitive success since April.
The victory arrived at the fourth time of asking in the current league fixture list. It marked a significant turnaround for the squad following a run of unrewarded efforts earlier in the autumn schedule.
Prior to Saturday’s contest, Linden had not tasted victory since their 34-10 defeat of Lomond and Helensburgh in the national bowl semi-finals back in April. The 73-24 result provided the club with its opening points of the Arnold Clark East Region League Division 2 campaign.
“Saturday went better for Hawick Linden, however, as they registered their first victory since their 34-10 national bowl semi-final knockout of Lomond and Helensburgh back in April, that long-awaited win arriving away to Dalkeith in Midlothian by 73-24.”
— Darin Hutson, The Southern Reporter
Why Did Hawick Harlequins Lose Their Unbeaten Record?
As reported by Darin Hutson of The Southern Reporter, Hawick Harlequins suffered a 59-22 loss against Edinburgh Northern, bringing an end to their unbeaten start to the season.
The defeat at Edinburgh Northern meant that Hawick Harlequins missed out on the chance to climb to the summit of the Arnold Clark East Region League Division 2 table. League leaders Earlston were out of action over the weekend, leaving the door open for Quins to claim top spot before the away defeat occurred.
This setback was Hawick Harlequins’ first competitive loss in eight months. The club had remained unbeaten since February, when they were subjected to a 59-0 defeat on the road against Corstorphine.
“Losing out for the first time since a 59-0 defeat away to Corstorphine in February were Hawick Harlequins, beaten 59-22 on the road by Edinburgh Northern, letting slip a chance to replace out-of-action Earlston at the top of the table in the process.”
— Darin Hutson, The Southern Reporter
Background of the Particular Development
Both Hawick Linden and Hawick Harlequins compete within the Arnold Clark East Region League Division 2, representing the traditional rugby town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders region. The two clubs share local rivalries and compete alongside regional opponents such as Earlston, Dalkeith, Corstorphine, and Edinburgh Northern.
Hawick Harlequins entered the weekend fixture in strong form, having built an undefeated record over the opening rounds of the campaign. Their last league defeat had occurred in February, after which they maintained a strong domestic run that positioned them as primary challengers to Earlston at the top of the table.
Hawick Linden entered the match following a challenging start to their league season. Their previous competitive match victory had occurred six months prior during the national bowl semi-finals in April, making Saturday’s result against Dalkeith a key milestone in their current campaign.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Local Clubs and Supporters
The contrasting weekend results are likely to alter the competitive dynamics for both Hawick clubs and their local supporter base as the Arnold Clark East Region League Division 2 season progresses.
For Hawick Linden, the 73-24 away victory against Dalkeith provides momentum that could assist the squad in moving up the division standings. The high scoring output indicates improved offensive execution, which may bolster player confidence ahead of upcoming fixture commitments.
For Hawick Harlequins, the loss to Edinburgh Northern halts their pursuit of top spot in the short term, allowing league leaders Earlston to retain their position. The team will need to address defensive areas following the concession of 59 points to ensure they stay in contention for promotion and top-table placement in the remaining fixtures of the season.
