Selkirk 31
Cartha Queen's Park 15
Tom Ramage
at Philiphaugh
SELKIRK produced a remarkable second-half comeback to start 2019 with a win.
Cartha Queen's Park enjoyed plenty possession during a disappointing fist half for the home team.
And nobody could complain about the 15-3 lead they took in at the interval.
A Wayne Burrows penalty on 10 minutes had been cancelled out by the boot of Rory Banks.
But Cartha went back in front midway through the half with scrum-half Jonny Campion running unopposed from the 22 to score the opening try.
After some good work by the visiting back line winger Anthony Nyanwangu sprinted over for his team's second try.
Selkirk needed a response in the second half and it came with the forwards stepping up to the mark.
After some eye-catching driving mauls Luke Pettie barged over for a try.
Banks' conversion reduced the deficit to 10-15.
A defensive error by Cartha allowed Callum McColm to pounce on the loose ball and score.
The conversion from Banks gave Selkirk a 17-15 lead going into the final quarter.
More good work from the forwards led to Selkirk's third score.
A driving maul from a lineout led to man-of-the-match Scott McClymont touching down.
Banks again added the conversion to give the hosts a nine-points cushion.
But the revival had brought fresh ambitions of a bonus point.
And in the closing minutes Aaron McColm made a telling break through the Cartha line to feed Henry Bithray to score the fourth try.
Banks completed a clean sweep with the fourth conversion for the 31-15 final score.
Selkirk: R Banks, F Anderson, H Bithray, A McColm, C MacDougall, C McColm, S Tough, L Pettie, R Wilson, B Riddell, A Renwick, P Forrest, S Nixon, S McClymont & E MacDougall. Replacements: C Higgins, C Graur, A McColm, R Cottrell & L Martin.
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