Brave Kelso earn all the admiration but the cup heads off to Glasgow. Hayes rules the roost as Hawks sparkle in the sun

The Hawks of Glasgow, a team built by Brian Simmers and honed by Iain Russell, maybe did not quite soar to their highest heights, yet they still managed to play with much joyous delight.

Kelso, the whole town singing them along, were opponents of the bravest mettle who may have lost the trophy, but hardly a single admirer.

These, it should be remembered, were second division sides.

Tommy Hayes, a Cook Islander, who revelled in conditions that could have been ordered from back home, kicked 16 points, shredded the Border defence, and won the Man of the Match by miles.

The honour I would like to see him collect is a Scotland international jersey and, if he is prepared - and seems to be - to hang around for another two seasons, he may qualify for one on residential grounds. This is the best fly-half in the British Isles.

However, hang on - Hayes and nine other Hawks are to be poached by the Super Districts next season, along with three of Kelso's finest.

These clubs will be badly hit, their teams broken up; time for the bucket of woe again?

Instead, and how refreshing it is to meet a couple of cock-eyed optimists for a change, why not listen to Director of Rugby Russell or the Kelso coach, Bruce Rutherford? They don't believe the game's a bogy.

''Of course this club has a future,'' declared Russell. ''I get paid to make that happen.

''As we are losing 10, then we should be able to produce five replacements, organically, from our own ranks. As for the others, we know there are talented Scots playing in England - some 500 from the ages of 18 to 25 - and it is our job to persuade them they have a future back home.

''Professional rugby is in a relatively embryonic state. It is up to the clubs to take the responsibility for the development of their future. That means undertaking a programme to improve basic skills and that is exactly what we intend to do.

''I see absolutely no reason why there should not be 30,000 spectators at next season's final.''

Rutherford was equally upbeat. ''This has been a marvellous experience for the whole of Kelso, not just the players. Today should be our springboard.

''What we have to do now is win next week's promotion play-off with Heriot's when we hope our captain Adam Roxburgh, due to go to Australia three days later, will be available.''

I applaud the spirit of both men. Reports of the death of club rugby have been exaggerated.

That is not to minimise the problems. I believe the SRU would be wise to consider whether the Super District players, as happens in Australia, should not be allowed to participate for their former clubs in the later stages of the cup competition. Many of them, I know, would welcome such a suggestion.

What the Hawks have done is prove that there is life in Glasgow rugby; they, and West of Scotland, can go on carrying the torch.

There is no point in pretending that the round-ball game will ever be overtaken in our largest city. There is, however, room for more than one major sport.

The Kelso support, decked out in every combination of black and white, won the shouting battle.

Accompanied by the Selkirk Brass Band, showing true Border unity, they belted out ''Kelsae, Bonnie Kelsae'' even when the cause was lost. A swell party it was.

The latest Murrayfield innovation, a radio-controlled toy truck, scampered on to the field carrying the kicking tee. It was required in the twelfth minute when Hayes capped a furious spell of Hawks' pressure by kicking a penalty from a narrow angle.

Yet the first try was bagged by Kelso. A dummy and a delayed pass from fly-half John Wearne made room for Iain Fairley, their best back, to cross near the posts. Wearne kicked the goal.

It was time for Glenn Metcalfe, Glasgow's full back from Auckland, to enter proceedings and he did so, setting up the ruck from which Chris Simmers and Hayes combined before releasing Derek Stark for an almost inevitable try.

Scotland are not taking Starkie, who was lifting his second winner's medal, with them to Australia this summer. I think that is a mistake; he remains the best finisher in the game and has footballing skills which are often under-rated. No, he will not kill anybody in the tackle, but his defence is a lot sounder these days.

Hayes converted and blootered over two more penalties before the interval. Referee Chuck Muir from Langholm, who had a good match, was not at this point being offered the freedom of Kelso.

Wearne had missed three kicking chances, and another Hayes goal, in 55 minutes, stretched the lead. Now Hawks drove home the advantage.

Alastair Common, the wing with the scrum-cap, scampered over after another Hayes side-step, the fly-half converting. Then Gordon Mackay, the linch-pin of a tremendous back row with the Wallace boys, added his name to the try-sheet.

No towel came in from Kelso and they were rewarded with a Wearne try which he converted himself.

Common, though, had the final touchdown for the celebrants.

Glasgow Hawks - G Metcalfe; D Stark, C Simmers, D Wilson, A Common; T Hayes, S Simmers; G McIlwham, C Docherty, M Beckham, C Afuakwah, S Hutton, F Wallace, G Mackay, A Wallace.

Kelso - D Baird; S Ross, G Laing, I Fairley, W Jackson; J Wearne, C Cowe; S Murray, K Thomson, D Howlett, I Fullarton, S Laing, S Bennet, S Forsyth, A Roxburgh.

Referee: C Muir (Langholm).