The game started at a frantic pace and scores were not long in coming. On the 10-minute mark GHA took the lead against the run of play when a misplaced kick landed in the hands of the Glasgow side’s sharp wing, who scored in the corner after running in from 60 metres.

After 20 minutes GHA’s other wing finished off a long passage of play featuring of play forwards and backs to increase the home team’s lead to 12-0.

At this point Selkirk were running the ball from all areas of the field to try and break down the home defence.

On the half-hour mark a break by Josh Welsh from deep in his own half saw the supporting Callum McEwan take the full-back’s scoring pass and go over for the visitors’ first try. Rory Banks converted.

For the remainder of the half Selkirk threw everything at their opponents in a bid to get over the try line, but the bigger home side held out until the last minute, conceding a penalty in front of the posts which Banks slotted to bring the halftime score to GHA 12, Selkirk 10.

In the second half Selkirk had almost all the pressure, and this told when Ewan MacDougall (pictured) scored a converted try near the posts, after some excellent handling, putting Selkirk in front for the first time in the game.

With 10 minutes to go the home side scored an unconverted try, bringing the scores level at 17-17.

The game was in stoppage time when the city team was awarded a penalty right in front of the posts, which was duly kicked to seal an exciting cup game.

Everyone in the Selkirk side played well, with special mentions going to Scott Tough at centre and second row Matt Robertson for sticking in so impressively, despite playing out of position.

Young prop Kyle Ramage also showed up well on his first team debut.

Selkirk: J. Welsh, C. McEwan, S. Tough, C. MacDougall, K. Monks, R. Banks, M. Davies, G. Patterson, R. Wilson, C. Graur, M. Kissick, M. Robertson, E. MacDougall, A. Duckett, C. Marshall. Replacements: K. Ramage, J. Bett, K. Thomson, L. Martin, C. Willemse.