Selkirk play their Get Out of Jail card

Aberdeen Rugby 26

Atholl Innes

at Philiphaugh

SELKIRK played a game of Monopoly in their bonus-point win on Saturday at Philiphaugh, and it was a ‘Get Out of Jail’ card that proved pivotal in a victory that looked impossible with the Souters trailing 7-26 early in the second half.

But the hosts dug deep when it mattered with a belief that they could turn the game around.

And even with five minutes of injury time added by referee Craig Clark, they achieved ‘mission impossible’ thanks to almost the final kick of the day from Rory Banks – and from the left touchline after a try by Sean Nixon.

“We got out of jail,” admitted coach Graham Marshall.

“At 26-7, we were looking as if the heads were down, but we were lucky to get that win as we showed a lot of spirit to come back.

“We were really disappointed in the way we played, but we got the result.

"They were strong defensively, but we still had to break them down. But it was a poor performance after the way we played at Cartha the previous week.

“There are a group of seven or eight teams in that league who can take points off each other, dependent on availability and injuries and things like that, but we got away with a bit of luck.”

Early tries were exchanged by Sam Knudson and Andrew Mackay, with Tom Aplin and Banks converting for 7-7 after 15 minutes.

Aberdeen played with the wind as Chris Jollands touched down and the visitors led 12-7 at the break.

Much was expected of Selkirk after the interval.

One expected Selkirk to step up a gear, but two quick tries from Ciaran Wood and Nat Coe, both converted by Knudson, seemed to put Aberdeen out of sight.

However, Selkirk found new life as Ross Nixon, who later had to leave the field injured before returning, Andrew Renwick and finally Sean Nixon escalated the jubilation in the home ranks when Banks put over the winning conversion.

There was still time to play, but Selkirk kept their cool not to concede a penalty and were reward with maximum points, Aberdeen travelling back with two for their our tries and finishing with a losing bonus.

It was that close.

Selkirk: R. Hamilton; F. Anderson, D. Clapperton, R. Nixon, R. Banks; A. McColm, S. Tough; L. Pettie, J. Bett, B. Riddell, A. Renwick, A. Mackay, S.Nixon, S. McClymont, D. Nichol. Replacements: J. Anderson, P. Forrest, J. Houston, L. Davidson, L. Martin.