Selkirk A 10

Gala A 34

Joe Dickson at Philiphaugh

IN front of a good crowd at Philiphaugh on Wednesday night old rivals Selkirk and Gala provided an entertaining Seconds Border League Cup final.

Ultimately Gala proved just too strong for the home side.

To their credit Selkirk ran the ball to the end and the Gala defences were stretched at times.

Selkirk took the lead after five minutes with a well struck penalty goal.

Back came Gala, who shunned an easy penalty opportunity to kick to the corner.

There were several close calls on the Selkirk line but the defence held as Gala tried to drive over.

Gala changed tactics and spun the ball wide and full back Craig Dods glided through for an unconverted try to put them in front.

Selkirk had a chance to regain the lead with a penalty but the kick went wide.

Gala upped the pressure and a good move down the left touchline saw Dods over for his second try and captain Dean Keddie converted from wide out.

Gala were in command now and a prolonged spell in the Selkirk 22 finished with Andrew Mitchell scoring an unconverted try in the right corner.

Mike Dodds had to be replaced due to injury and Iain Ross took his place.

Just before the break Gala went three scores in front when Dean Keddie kicked a penalty goal for a 20 points to 3 lead.

Five minutes into the second half Gala brought on all the remaining six subs to try to finish off the home side.

Despite a load of pressure Gala could not turn it into points and it was Selkirk who was next to score.

Gala had them pinned down five yards from their line ,when the ball went loose and Selkirk hacked it upfield. Three different Gala players tried to dive on the ball but each time it went loose Selkirk hacked onto the Gala line for a 90 metre try which they converted.

Gala had several chances in the next 20 minutes but their finishing was poor and Selkirk always managed to clear their lines.

At last Gala got it right and good work by the forwards sent Rob Louw over for their fourth try with Dean Keddie converting from the touchline.

Stung into action Selkirk surged to the Gala line and only desperate Gala tackling kept them out.

A penalty took Gala back down field and when the ball squirted out of a ruck in front of the Selkirk posts, Lachlan Johnston grabbed the ball to race in under the bar. Dean Keddie added the extras with the last kick of the game.

Keith Young was Gala’s man-of-the-match.