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SELKIRK ’A’ HOLD NERVE TO EDGE OUT BIGGAR 2nds
IN PULSATING ENCOUNTER
Selkirk ‘A’ outside centre
Jy Griffin takes on the Biggar defence, while team-mate Matty Brass looks on.
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‘A’ XV lock Andy Mackay
on the charge, with Liam Cassidy in support.
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Selkirk’s replacement
scrum-half Scott Tomlinson gets the ball away.
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[Photos by GRANT KINGHORN PICS]
Selkirk ‘A’ 33, Biggar 2nds 26
A BATTLING fightback in the game’s final quarter
saw Selkirk ‘A’ overcome a strong Biggar 2nds side to register an opening day win in the new-look Tennent’s East
Reserve League Division 1.
In sunny conditions both teams were eager to run the ball, with the home team drawing first blood when Matty Brass
landed a penalty (it was to prove the Souters’ only goal-kicking success of the afternoon).
Biggar hit back with tries from Finlay Barr and Euan Bogle, with the latter’s conversion putting the visitors 12-3
ahead.
Powerful drives by Andrew Renwick and Andy Mackay, plus strong runs from Jy Griffin and Lewis Martin, eventually
led to tries by Liam Blair, Kieran Monks and Martin, giving Selkirk an 18-12 interval lead.
On the restart indifferent tackling led to a try for Biggar by Marcus Dobie, converted by Bogle, before a penalty
try put the visitors 26-18 ahead.
The introduction of 42-year-old ex-Selkirk skipper Scott Tomlinson, first at scrum-half and then at stand-off,
put fresh heart into the home team, with tries by Monks, Nathaniel Armstrong and Matty Francis eventually sealing
a hard-fought victory.
“It was a great team effort,” Selkirk ‘A’ coach Darren Hoggan said after the game, “and following a slow start
the boys showed a lot of commitment, both in attack and defence. A bonus point and a home win – you can’t ask for
more than that.”
The Four Seasons Forestry ‘Selkirk Man of the Match’ was Lewis Martin.
SELKIRK ‘A’ – C. Rhind, K. Monks, J. Griffin, L.
Martin, N. Armstrong, M. Brass, H. McDonnell, L. Blair, M. Francis, K. Thomson, D. Alexander, A. Renwick, L. Cassidy,
M. Mackay, A. Mackay. Replacements: S. Tomlinson, S. Brister, C. Fairbairn, M. Stanners, M. Rutter.
BIGGAR 2nds – S. Hornell, J. Bell, D. Brewster,
C. McDonald, J. Baulkwill, E. Bogle, F. Barr, A. Muir, L. Smith, R. Thomson, Z. Lyon, H. Archibald, C. Dunlop,
D. McCartney, C. Frame. Replacements: A. Howitson, M. Dobie, J. Muir, C. Taylor.
Referee – Alastair Kirk (Melrose).
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