Cartha Queen's Park 34

Selkirk 45

Callum Hodgson

at Dumbreck

SELKIRK fired themselves back into contention at Dumbreck on Saturday.

And if Aaron McColm had found his accuracy with the boot during a dominant second half, the victory could have been even more comprehensive.

In a league where no team has yet to establish title favouritism, Selkirk are certainly among the four or five who could well claim the top spot ahead of league reconstruction at the end of the season.

The Souters showed their intentions early by forcing three penalties inside the opening four minutes.

Scott Tough opened the scoring after nipping across the line just a few minutes later.

McColm's conversion drifted wide.

And, following a yellow card for Andrew Renwick in the 18th minute, the momentum briefly swung towards the home team.

Albert Hondros touched down at the back of a driving maul with the Wayne Burrows conversion giving Queen's Park the lead.

McColm slotted a penalty for Selkirk to retake the advantage.

But the lead wasn't to last long as the home side produced their best running move of the match to allow Jacob Adamson to touch down in the far corner.

Selkirk's pressure towards half time led to captain Darren Clapperton going over for a try.

The 13-12 advantage was probably about right for a half which swung one way then the other.

But following the interval Selkirk showed why they have to be regarded as a team who could contest the title.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart Clapperton concluded a swift handling move to score his second of the afternoon.

McColm's conversion extended the advantage to eight points.

More good handling and pace allowed stand-off McColm to also go over for the bonus-point try.

Selkirk were well on top approaching the hour and the pressure forced an error at the lineout which Nichol capitalised on with a score.

Queen's Park stemmed the waves of attack with a penalty, but Selkirk were soon charging once more towards the line.

Josh Welsh touched down before Clapperton completed his hat-trick.

Despite McColm struggling to find his range into the wind, the visitors had opened up a 40-15 lead with just eight minutes remaining.

All credit to Cartha for not giving up and somehow they managed to run in three tries - from Jonny Campion, Gregor Davidson and Liam Howieson - in the space of six minutes.

With two successful conversions suddenly they were only trailing by six points.

But the scare sparked Selkirk back to life and as injury time approached Clapperton raced away for his fourth try of the afternoon.

Selkirk: J Welsh, F Anderson, L Martin, D Clapperton, R Nixon, A McColm, S Tough, L Pettie, J Bett, B Riddell, A Renwick, P Forrest, S Nixon, S McClymont & D Nichol. Replacements: J Anderson, A McKay, C Hume & R Hamilton.