SELKIRK PLAYERS HANG TOUGH IN
FINAL MINUTES TO DIM THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Centre Luca Berte goes
on the attack, supported by team-mates Ross Nixon and Luca Merolle.
Andy Mackay secures line-out possession, with a little help from Sean Rankin and Bruce Riddell.
Callum Anderson prepares to take contact, with skipper Ewan MacDougall ready to lend a hand.
Soaked, but happy! Luca Berte and Andy Mackay take advantage of the touchline shelter.
[Photos by GRANT KINGHORN PICS]
Aberdeen Grammar 14, Selkirk 16
THERE was a definite sense of déjà
vu at Rubislaw on Saturday, where the Philiphaugh side’s hard-fought victory over Aberdeen Grammar was almost a
carbon copy of their win against Glasgow Hawks a fortnight earlier.
In both matches Selkirk scored a try on the stroke of halftime to reduce the home team’s lead, before edging ahead
in the second half and then putting in a massive defensive shift in the closing stages to seal victory.
However, Selkirk’s third successive road win would not have been achieved without the tactical awareness and goal-kicking
accuracy of young fly-half Callum Anderson.
With the wind at the visitors’ backs after the break, the 18-year-old’s positional kicking kept the home side pinned
in their own 22 for long periods, while Callum’s trusty left boot sent over three sweetly struck penalties (two
from the 10-metre line) to cap a fine individual display.
“Having missed our last two matches, Callum showed real character to manage the game so confidently,” Selkirk head
coach Scott Wight said after the match. “He’s been working hard on his goal-kicking all season, and we reaped the
benefit of that today.”
The coach also paid tribute to the Selkirk players’ defensive effort in the contest’s final 10 minutes. “The boys
didn’t give an inch during that whole period, absorbing the pressure and making sure we didn’t concede any penalties.
“The buzz amongst the Selkirk players after the final whistle showed just what it meant to the whole squad, and
it was great to see all the celebrations at the end,” added Wight.
“This weekend’s game against Hawick is going to be huge for us. They’ve won their last four games and we’ve won
our last three, so both teams are in good form and it should be a great contest.”
In Saturday’s game at Rubislaw, Aberdeen’s early dominance at the set piece saw the home side open the scoring
in the ninth minute when number eight Greig Ryan scored a pushover try following a five-metre scrum.
Ten minutes later Aberdeen flanker Nat Coe crossed for another home try following a series of drives by the pack,
with Tom Aplin’s second successful conversion putting the city men 14-0 ahead.
The introduction of vice-skipper Luke Pettie helped the visitors finally exert some pressure on the home team.
On the half-hour mark wing-forward Josh Mackay capitalised on a gap in the Aberdeen defence to score under the
posts without a hand being laid on him. Anderson’s conversion made the score 14-7, which is how things stood at
the interval.
In the second half Selkirk kept their hosts on the back foot for long stretches, with Callum Anderson’s three successful
penalties proving just reward for the visitors’ monopoly of territory and possession.
Although Aberdeen went all-out for the winning score in the game’s final, frenetic minutes, the Souter players
kept their nerve and shape to repel their hosts’ attacks and secure another knife-edge victory.
Selkirk’s win at Rubislaw sees the Philiphaugh side leapfrog Aberdeen to go joint third, alongside Hawick, in the
Tennent’s Premiership table.
ABERDEEN GRAMMAR – S. Mills, C. Shepherd,
M. Mitchell, T. Aplin, D. Russell, S. Knudson, T. Morrison, C. Reddish, A. Cook, R. Anderson, J. Robertson, R.
Cessford, N. Coe, B. Inglis, G. Ryan. Replacements: T. Ryan, C. Robertson, D. Wallen, J. Troup, A. Ovenstone.
SELKIRK – H. Bithray, J. Welsh, L. Berte,
R. Nixon, R. Cottrell, C. Anderson, L. Merolle, S. Rankin, J. Bett, B. Riddell, P. Forrest, A. Mackay, J. Mackay,
S. McClymont, E. MacDougall. Replacements: D. Nichol, L. Pettie, L. Cassidy, C. McNeill, F. Anderson.
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell (SRU).
****
TRUE GRIT SEES SELKIRK ‘A’ PLAYERS
HOME IN CLOSE-RUN AFFAIR AT MEGGETLAND Selkirk’s forwards prepare
to engage at a scrum with their Boroughmuir counterparts.
Selkirk scrum-half Andrew Tennant fires out quick ruck ball to his threequarter line.
Selkirk ‘A’ coach Darren Hoggan has a word with his players after the final whistle.
[Photos – JOHN SMAIL]
Boroughmuir 2A 5, Selkirk ‘A’ 10
SELKIRK’S ‘A’ XV players continued to mirror the
success of the club’s 1st XV by racking up their third successive away victory in Tennent’s Reserve League East
1 on Saturday.
Played in bitterly cold, monsoon-like conditions at Meggetland, the Souters showed huge heart and single-mindedness
to eventually overcome an equally determined and physical Boroughmuir team.
What made the visitors’ success all the more impressive, was the fact two of Selkirk’s players - lock Stuart Wilson
and scrum-half Andrew Tennant - had not played rugby for almost 10 years. Both acquitted themselves well, although
the latter player’s debut was unfortunately cut short.
Playing against the gale-force wind in the first half, Selkirk still managed to enjoy the lion’s share of possession
and territory, but paid the price for conceding penalties at pivotal moments in the match.
On the 25-minute mark Andrew Tennant had to retire to the sidelines after sustaining a cut above his right eye,
his place at No. 9 being taken by Callum McEwan - Andrew later had four stitches inserted into the wound at the
BGH’s A & E Department.
Given the difficult conditions, it was perhaps no surprise that halftime arrived without either side having managed
to score a point.
With the elements behind them after the break, Selkirk always looked the likelier side to break the deadlock. Skipper
Harry Borthwick was in superb form, gaining large chunks of territory every time he carried ball, while hooker
Matthew Francis was always to the fore in the loose.
In the 61st minute fly-half Rory Hamilton got Selkirk’s first points on the board from a penalty, and 10 minutes
later lock Matthew Mackay burrowed his way over the line, with the entire visiting pack right behind him, for the
game’s opening try. Hamilton’s conversion put the visitors 10-0 ahead.
In the game’s final play, Boroughmuir managed to cross Selkirk’s line to deservedly earn a losing bonus point,
but both sets of players deserve credit for contributing to a highly competitive contest in such appalling conditions.
Turning out for Boroughmuir in the back row was former Selkirk ‘A’ player Strath Mackenzie, who is now based in
the capital.
BROUGHMUIR – J. Finnie, K. Forge, C. Whitelock, L. Harrity, L. Mackay, N. Muller, F. Smith, P. Richards, G. Stevenson,
K. Hasenberger, J. Belsak, A. Clark, M. Thurley, S. Mackenzie, N. Colvin. Replacements: E. Andrew, M. Ozkhan.
SELKIRK – M. Rutter, N. Armstrong, J. Griffin, L. Martin, H. Macdonell, R. Hamilton, A. Tennant, G. Forrest, M.
Francis, R. Reilly, S. Wilson, M. Mackay, A. McColm, A. Davidson, H. Borthwick. Replacements: K. Thomson, L. Carrick,
C. McColm, C. McEwan.
Referee – Johnny Cocaine (Edinburgh).
Upcoming Fixtures
/ Events
SATURDAY, DECEMBER
14
TENNENT’S PREMIERSHIP SELKIRK v. HAWICK
at Philiphaugh (3pm kick-off)
TENNENT’S RESERVE LEAGUE EAST 1 SELKIRK ‘A’ v. HAWICK
FORCE
at Philiphaugh (2pm kick-off)
A full list of games for season 2019 / 2020 can be
viewed on our 'Fixtures'
page
A full list of results and reports for
all games played this season and the past 18 seasons can be accessed by clicking on the 'Results' link above.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ABERDEEN MATCH
07/12
.
CALLUM CALLED INTO SCOTLAND U-19 TRAINING SQUAD
EARLIER this month Selkirk’s talented stand-off
Callum Anderson (pictured) received a call from Scotland under-19 coach Sean Lineen, inviting him to join the Scotland
under-19 squad for a Sunday training session on Melrose Rugby Club’s new 3G pitch at the Greenyards.
Callum’s promising form this season has clearly put him on the national selectors’ radar, and the club hopes this
national squad call-up will be the first of many in the seasons ahead.
SUPPORTERS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT
PHILIPHAUGH PUT BACK A WEEK
FOR a variety of reasons, it’s been necessary to
put back the Selkirk Rugby Club’s Christmas Supporters Lunch in the Philiphaugh Suite from this Saturday, December
14, to the following Saturday (December 21).
President Gus Boag told the selkirkrfc.com website this week: “When the club was planning a combined lunch with
Yarrow Farmers on the Selkirk v. Hawick match day [December 14], it was assumed this would be the 1st XV’s final
fixture of 2019.
“However, this month’s cancelled Currie game will now take place on Saturday, December 21. This is the day the
Selkirk RFC 200 Club’s Christmas draw will be made, as well as the draw for the players’ Christmas hamper.
“These draws will now take place during the second lunch on Saturday, December 21 (12.30 for 1pm). I apologise
to our supporters for any inconvenience, and hope they will still be able to attend their Christmas Lunch, but
a week later!”
Supporters are kindly asked to confirm if they will be going to the lunch on the new date - either with Gus on
Selkirk 21663, or with Layla on 07563 617471.
Some additional tickets have been made available for the December 21 lunch, so please contact Gus or Layla if you
would like to attend.
.
NEW DATE CONFIRMED FOR POSTPONED
SELKIRK ‘A’ FIXTURE
MATCH secretary Mary Inglis is pleased to report
that the postponed Tennent’s Reserve League East 1 fixture between Selkirk ‘A’ and Currie Chieftains ‘A’ will now
take place at Philiphaugh on Saturday, February 1.
.
.
.
.
.
1st XV
1st XV (up to & including Dec. 7th, 2019)
P 14 W 8 L 5 D
1
LEADING TRY SCORERS (after 14 matches): 7 – Henry
Bithray; 6 – Ryan Cottrell; 4 - Ewan MacDougall, Josh Welsh, Scott McClymont, James Bett; 3 - Luke Pettie, Jacob
Henry; 2 – Luca Berte, Donald Nichol, Callum Anderson, Frazer Anderson, Aaron McColm; 1 – Josh Mackay, Andrew Renwick,
Sean Rankin, Luca Merolle, Bruce Riddell, Jack Houston, Robert Cook, Michael Waldron, Andrew McColm, Ross Purves,
Nathaniel Armstrong. Tries scored: 57. Tries conceded: 50.
LEADING POINTS SCORERS (after 14 matches): 68 – Aaron McColm (2 tries, 6 penalties, 20 conversions); 45 - Henry
Bithray (7 tries, 5 conversions); 30 – Ryan Cottrell (6 tries). Total points scored: 384. Total points conceded:
341.
MOST APPEARANCES (after 14 matches): 14 – Luca Berte, Luke Pettie; 13 – Ewan MacDougall, Peter Forrest, Frazer
Anderson Luca Merolle, Josh Welsh, Scott McClymont; 12 – Aaron McColm, Callum Anderson, Ryan Cottrell, Bruce Riddell;
11 - James Bett; 10 – Donald Nichol; 9 – Henry Bithray, Andy Mackay, Ross Nixon; 8 – Sean Rankin; 7 – Jack Houston;
6 – Josh Mackay; 5 – Andrew McColm, Lewis Martin, Derry Alexander, Robert Cook; 4 – Michael Waldron, Grant Forrest.
‘A’ XV
‘A’ XV (up to & including Dec. 7th, 2019) P 14 W 10 L 3
D 1
LEADING TRY SCORERS (after 14 matches): 7 – Nathaniel Armstrong, David Cassidy; 4 – Kieran Monks, Jy Griffin; 3
– Robert Cook, Lewis Martin, Andrew Renwick; 2 – Ross Purves, Mark Rutter, Liam Blair, Gary Robertson, Donald Nichol;
1 – Matthew Mackay; Callum McNeill, Michael Waldron, Ryan Cottrell, Josh Bain, Matty Francis, Robbie Reilly, Liam
Cassidy, Grant Forrest, Peter Forrest, Bruce Riddell, Henry Bithray. Total tries scored: 54. Total conceded: 43.
LEADING POINTS SCORERS (after 14 matches): 92 – Scott Clark (10 penalties, 31 conversions); 37 – David Cassidy
(6 tries, 1 penalty, 2 conversions); 35 – Nathaniel Armstrong (7 tries) 20 – Jy Griffin, Kieran Monks (4 tries).
Total points scored: 378. Total points conceded: 284.
MOST APPEARANCES (after 14 matches): 13 – Mark Rutter; 12 – Kieran Thomson, Matthew Mackay, Liam Cassidy, Nathaniel
Armstrong; 11 – Matthew Francis, David Cassidy; 10 – Scott Clark; 8 – Harris Macdonell, Jy Griffin, Jamie Turnbull,
Liam Blair; 7 – Andrew Davidson; 6 – Harry Borthwick, Andrew McColm, Paul Smail, Ross Purves, Robert Cook, Matty
Brass; 5 – Rory Hamilton, Robbie Reilly, Michael Waldron, Harry Aynsley, Moray Haldane, Kieran Monks; 4 –Derry
Alexander, Josh Mackay.
EDINBURGH ACADEMICAL Fc 2nds 0-28
MUSSELBURGH 2nds Insufficient front row
players home (friendly played).
HAWICK FORCe 28-0 CURRIE CHIEFTAINS ‘A’ Insufficient players
away.
BOROUGHMUIR 2a 5-10 SELKIRK ‘A’
STEWART'S MELVILLE fp 2nds 24-14 HERIOT'S BLUES 2ND XV
BIGGAR 2nds 28-0 JED-FOREST ‘A’ Insufficient players
away.
TENNENT’S PREMIERSHIP
(DECEMBER 14)
MUSSELBURGH v. GLASGOW HAWKS
EDINBURGH ACADEMICAL Fc v. GHA
CURRIE CHIEFTAINs v. MARR
JED-FOREST v. ABERDEEN GRAMMAR
SELKIRK v. HAWICK
TENNENT’S EAST
RES. LEAGUE DIV. 1 (DECEMBER 14)
MUSSELBURGH 2nds v. BIGGAR 2nds
CURRIE CHIEFTAINS ‘A’ v. STEWART'S/MELVILLE fp 2nds
JED-FOREST ‘A’ v. BOROUGHMUIR 2A
SELKIRK ‘A’ v. HAWICK FORCE
EDINBURGH ACADEMICAL Fc 2nds v. HERIOT'S BLUES 2ND XV
*********
TENNENT’S PREMIERSHIP
P
W
L
D
Pts
Marr RFC
11
9
1
1
47
Currie Chieftains
11
9
2
0
46
Hawick
10
6
3
1
32
SELKIRK
11
6
4
1
32
Aberdeen Grammar
12
6
6
0
30
Glasgow Hawks
12
4
8
0
26
GHA
11
4
7
0
24
Edinburgh Accies
10
3
5
2
20
Jed-Forest
11
3
8
0
20
Musselburgh
11
2
8
1
17
*****************************************
TENNENT’S RESERVE
LEAGUE EAST 1
P
W
L
D
Pts
Hawick Force
9
8
1
0
42
SELKIRK ‘A’
10
7
2
1
38
Musselburgh 2nds
10
7
3
0
36
Stew/Mel. 2nds
10
6
4
0
36
Heriot's Blues 2nds
9
6
3
0
35
Edin. Accies 2nds
9
5
3
1
34
Biggar 2nds
10
4
5
0
28
Boroughmuir 2A
9
1
6
2
16
Currie Chieftains ‘A’
8
1
7
0
16
Jed-Forest ‘A’
10
0
10
0
11
Sponsors
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.
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LOOKING to celebrate in style? Selkirk Rugby Club’s
Philiphaugh Function Suite offers free room hire… and more! Professional DJ and party planner LAYLA ANDERSON is
available to hire for your party requirements. Photos can be projected on the suite’s big screen via our personalised
photo projection package. If you would like to book an event don't hesitate to get in touch with Selkirk Rugby
Club’s bar and events manager LAYLA ANDERSON on 07563 617 471.
… AND A GREAT VENUE FOR WEDDINGS!
The Philiphaugh Function Suite at Selkirk Rugby
Football Club is available to hire for weddings and receptions. Affordable and competitive rates. Professional
wedding decoration design and DJ hire also available. If you would like to book, don't hesitate to get in touch
with Selkirk Rugby Club’s bar and events manager LAYLA ANDERSON on 07563 617 471.
Photos and content of this site are the property of
Selkirk RFC website and photographers named or unnamed. Any material from this website should not be copied or
redistributed without the owner's prior written permission. Thank you. (Copyright 2000-2017)
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