PETER Wright stood down as Selkirk coach following his side’s defeat by Melrose on Saturday after ‘taking the club as far as he could".

The former British Lion and Scottish internationalist led the club to an unprecedented 22-game unbeaten run to gain promotion, but the players found the Premiership tough and ended up with just one win – over Gala.

“I have had a great two years and feel that it is time for a change and a different voice,” he said.

“It is rationale that we have taken the team as far as we can.

“I have been made very welcome.

"I know that last season was a unique one for us, and you cannot take that away from the players,” Wright said.

“We had to come up top this division to see if we were good enough or not, and National 1 is where Selkirk should probably be.

“I will go on to other things and see what happens.”

Wright has made no definite commitment for the future. “There are opportunities and I will sit down and decide about it. I still want to coach, and I think I have another couple of years in me as a coach.

“I am happy with the work I am doing (media work etc). I was always happy to come to a club that I have always looked at and been fortunate to be part of the history here.

“We are all here for a short time and have to make the most of it.

“The attitude of the guys has been really good and I have had a great time.”

Selkirk Convener Manager John Rutherford added: “Peter was contracted for two years. It is all very friendly and amicable and we will now be looking at putting a new management team in place, which we will do very quickly.

“It has been a tough year for the club. We found it hard.”

Neill Wood, a former Selkirk player, has - over the past five years - coached Selkirk Stormers and Selkirk ‘A’ before spending two seasons as the 1st XV’s forwards coach.

Director of Rugby, Cammie Cochrane, and assistant coach Neil Wood have also stood down.

Cameron Cochrane made a total of 145 senior appearances for Selkirk as a player, captaining the 1st XV between 2001 and 2003. He has been the club’s director of rugby for the past three years, doubling up as 1st XV backs coach.

Selkirk RFC would like to thank Peter, Neill and Cameron for their unswerving commitment and loyalty to the club, wishing them all the very best for the future.