SELKIRK’S opening Bookers’ Border League clash at Philiphaugh produced no fewer than six tries for the new Premiership 1 team, and was a personal triumph for middle-row man Jordan McGowan.

The lock, who moved north from south of the border for family reasons, scored only one try last season – the last game of the season at Aberdeen.

On Saturday, to the delight of the home crowd, he scored four, three in quick succession before and after the interval, as Selkirk stepped up their game after the break.

The victory pleased coach Peter Wright. “We did not want to treat it as pre-season, but as a Border League game,” he said.

“It was good and we held our shape. We have only three games to warm up for the Premiership, and so we have to be happy with the outcome.” With two South Africans, an Australian, and Spaniard still to arrive and New Zealander Angus Duckett to return, Selkirk is looking at building in strength for what will be a long and hard season.

On Saturday, there were debuts for Fabian Tetart and Cameron Ring while players like Fraser Anderson rose from the Youth Club ranks with Gavin Craig, Darren Clapperton and Scott Hendrie waiting in the wings.

Ring looks as if he will be the goal-kicker as he converted four of the six tries and kicked with authority with the boot. When he was replaced, Josh Welsh took over.

Peebles battled hard and were rewarded with tries from Jack Harrison and Neil Hogarth, Mitch McGahan converting both, but they never recovered from a yellow card dished out by referee Gordon Corry to Greg Raeburn for a high tackle in the last minute of the first half.

McGowan took advantage of the extra man to score and add to Callum Marshall’s opening score for a 14-0 interval lead. It was McGowan again after the break and the same player almost immediately took the game out of Peebles’ reach.

Harrison closed the gap before McGowan added to the pressure, and then Hogarth and Marshall exchanged tries as Selkirk ran out comfortable victors.

Selkirk: J. Welsh; L. MacLennan, C. MacDougall, R. Nixon, F. Anderson; C. Ring, M. Davies; C. Graur, J. Bett, F. Tetart, J. McGowan, S. McDonald, E. MacDougall, M. Gordon, C. Marshall. Replacements: S. Tough, D. Allan, A. Renwick, K. Cooney, R. Wilson.

Peebles: G. Raeburn; N. Hogarth, R. Clinch, C. Pye, J. Harrison; M. McGahan, D. Anderson; A. Brown, G. Pringle, G. Turner, R. Brown, W. Brown, L. Brink, R. Harrison, K. Brown. Replacements: W. Napier, R. Stewart, J. Dow, R. Wilson, A. Muir.