Aberdeen Grammar 26

Selkirk 14

Jack Nixon

at Ruberslaw

SELKIRK'S head coach Graham Marshall was left to rue his side's inability to get off to a good start for the third time in recent weeks, as they surrendered four first half tries to turn round 26 points in arrears to a determined Aberdeen side.

Marshall said: ''This was another of these days in which we failed to impose ourselves early in the game.

"It's the third since the turn of the year that we have conceded over 20 points before going on to getting into our stride.

"It's impossible to win games from such a position, but we came good in the second half, scoring two good tries, while restricting Aberdeen in the process.

"We played some good rugby, but leaving it late is hurting us."

Selkirk made the worst possible start, leaking two tries in the first 12 minutes to trail 12-0 to a Grammar side keen to eradicate the memory of a shock defeat by league strugglers Stewart's Melville the previous week.

The home side continued to dominate the first half, adding two more tries, though their was evidence that the Philiphaugh side were coming on to a game as the half progressed, even if they were to turn around 26 points down at the break.

The second half got underway with the home support having high expectations of a rout, especially as their side was playing down the Rubislaw slope, but despite a high ratio of possession and scoring opportunities, it was the Borderers who now looked the more dangerous.

It was therefore no great surprise when the most entertaining of the Selkirk backs, winger Clinton Wagman, skipped through the Grammar defence for a try in 56 minutes.

Stand off Aaron McColm kicked the conversion.

Grammar roared back, but were denied by some stout Selkirk defending.

By this time the Souters had found their feet, and greater confidence, prompted by their lively scrum half Callum McEwan who was involved in all things good in attack and defence.

They were, however, unable to penetrate the home defence until the last minute of the when not for the first time in the afternoon, Wagman took on the Grammar back line, racing clear under the posts.

McEwan's successful conversion was the last play of the game, taking the visitors to the respectability of 14 points in a highly entertaining game, albeit a 26-14 defeat.

Marshall reflected on his side's run in to the end of the campaign, and said: ''With neither promotion or relegation a possibility in this most competitive leagues, we can now look to preparing the players for next season in the remaining seven games.''

Selkirk were best served by Wagman, McEwan, while centres Ross Nixon and Darren Clapperton were solid defenders in the mid - field.

Selkirk: S. Hamilton; C. Wagman, D. Clapperton, R. Nixon (capt), F. Anderson; A. McColm and C. McEwan. R. Rielly, N. Hall, D. Anderson, A. Renwick, M. Gordon, S. Nixon, D. Nicol and S. Dama. Replacements - B. Riddell, K. Thomson, M. Aziz, R. Banks and G. Ross.