SELKIRK warmed up for their return to the Premiership with a victory over Kelso in the Border League this (Saturday) afternoon.

However, it was a hesitant start for the home side at Philiphaugh who were without coach Peter Wright, who was in Italy for the Scotland game.

Kelso kicked off and went ahead through an Andrew Skeen penalty inside the first 90 seconds of the match.

James Bett responded with a try for Selkirk in the 17th minute, after some powerful play by Cata Geur to break into the visitors 22. Cameron Gregory-Ring added the conversion to put the home side in front, 7-3.

Kelso narrowed the gap when Skeen scored a second penalty in the 22nd minute to make the score 7-6.

But Bett scored his and Selkirk's second try in ten minutes to extend the home side's lead in the 27th minute. Gregory-Ring added the conversion to make the score 14-6.

Ian Wallace pulled a score back for Kelso in the 33rd minute but Skeen missed the conversion, making the score 14-11.

And then, with the final kick of the first half, a Gregory-Ring penalty made the score at the interval Selkirk 17, Kelso 11.

Selkirk started the second half as they finished the first with another score. Lewis MacLennan pounced on a loose pass on the halfway line and sprinted down the wing before diving over in the corner to make it 22-11. But Gregory-Ring missed the conversion.

A flurry of replacements disrupted play making it more difficult for Kelso to get back into the game. And then Guer added a late try for Selkirk to make the final score 27-11.

Newly-promoted Selkirk will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run when they meet Gala in the Premiership next Saturday.

BOOKER BORDER LEAGUE - SELKIRK v KELSO - 22.8.15 from StuMedia on Vimeo.

Selkirk: Josh Welsh, Salvo Lloret, Craig MacDougall, Ross Nixon (c), Lewis MacLennan, Cameron Gregory-Ring, Dashton Wellman; Kieran Cooney, James Bett, Cata Geur, Jordan McGowan, Scott McDonald, Ewen MacDougall, Max Gordon, Callum Marshall. Replacements: Bruce Riddell, Callum Johnston, Damien Byrne, Callum McEwan, Scott Tough.

Kelso: Gary Mulroy, Keiron Wilkinson, Ally Johnston, Dom Buckley (c), Alan Haig, Andrew Skeen, Phil Hume; Henim Boshoff, Charlie Marshall, Blair Robertson, Ian Wallace, Steph Carnegie, Chris Riddell, Matt Hall, Keiron Dunbar. Replacements: Ross Henderson, Stuart Lowrie, Paul Graham, Matt Young.