Selkirk 21

Musselburgh 16

Callum Hodgson

at Philiphaugh

IT was perhaps fitting that following an emotional ceremony to mark the players and officials of Selkirk Rugby Club who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War, that was a new generation of brothers in arms who helped the Philiphaugh side to arguably their biggest win of the season.

New fewer than three pairs of siblings pulled on the Selkirk jersey - Ross and Sean Nixon, Craig and Ewan MacDougall, and Aaron and Calum McColm.

And Musselburgh, fresh from a victory at leaders Jed-Forest, turned up with the Owenson brothers, Daniel and Craig.

It was one of the Owenson brothers, Danny, who kicked the visitors in front inside the opening five minutes.

Aaron McColm levelled with a penalty from similar range following a scrappy 10 minutes or so.

The wind and rain continued to present problems for both teams as they attempted to run from deep.

And it was the close control of the Selkirk pack that was making the most in-roads.

Despite some promising build up play Selkirk couldn't add to the scoreboard before Musselburgh edged back in front on the half hour with another Owenson penalty.

Selkirk responded well with Josh Welsh flying into the line to break through the defence and feed Craig MacDougall for the try.

Aaron McColm's conversion flew just wide.

And the visitors edged back in front just before the interval through an Owenson drop goal.

Aaron McColm made up for his earlier miss to slot home a penalty in the 43rd minute.

Following more pressure from the home pack the stand-off added a further three points as the Musselburgh infringements began to pile up.

The visitors, though, regrouped well approaching the hour and following a succession of penalties William Fleming barged his way over.

Owenson's kick gave Musselburgh a 16-14 lead.

With the clock ticking down Selkirk probed and probed but Musselburgh appeared to be holding firm without giving away any penalties.

But a burst from Aaron McColm through a gap was enough to allow the scrum half to race clear for the winning try.

His conversion gave Selkirk the 21-16 victory.

Selkirk. J Welsh, N Pavloski, H Bithray, C MacDougall, R Nixon, C McColm, A McColm, L Pettie, J Bett, B Riddell, A Renwick, D Nichol, S Nixon, S McClymont & E MacDougall. Reps: D Alexander, C Graur, A McKay, C Higgins & S Tough.