Selkirk A 20 GHA 2nds 37

AFTER last week’s hard-fought victory up in Dundee, Selkirk ‘A’ were brought down to earth by a confident, strong-running GHA 2nds side in Saturday’s BT Reserve League National 2 match at Philiphaugh.

The young Souters tried their best to keep their bigger, more physical opponents in check during the opening exchanges, but the visitors were adept at punching holes in the home defence, running in five tries before the interval to lead 34-8 at the change of ends.

An injury to Selkirk prop Sam Mackay saw the game revert to uncontested scrums, resulting in a more even second half - the home side outscored the city men by a 12-3 margin after the break.

Selkirk’s three tries came from skipper Scott Tough and centre Dave Allan (2), with Tough adding a penalty and a conversion. GHA’s try scorers were Tom Ritchie (3), Andrew Spowart and Bruce Sorbie. Fly-half Glen Scott kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Making his debut for the home team was newly arrived Argentinian lock Luciano Mastrolorenzo, who knuckled down well, while the home supporters enjoyed seeing former 1st XV prop Gordon Patterson back in action at Philiphaugh. The home coaches named teenage centre Jy Griffin as Selkirk’s ‘Man of the Match’.

SELKIRK – J. Hendrie, L. Martin, J. Griffin, D. Allan, F. Anderson, A. Lyall, S. Tough, G. Patterson, R. Purves, L. Mastrolorenzo, R. Cook, M. Robertson, S. McClymont, J. Everitt. Replacements – J. Turnbull, N. Darling.

● Selkirk ‘A’ take on Kelso 2nds in a Border Cup fixture at Philiphaugh tomorrow (Wednesday, September 23) with a 7.30pm kick-off.