Marr 14

Selkirk 14

Callum Hodgson

at Fullarton Park

SELKIRK showed on Saturday that they are more than capable of going head to head with the best in National Division One.

Both teams stepped up to entertain the large crowd around Fullarton Park in what was an exciting and balanced match.

And while Rory Banks' late penalty denied the league leaders of victory, the draw was a fair reflection of a pulsating 80 minutes.

The long journey to Ayrshire hadn't had any effects on the young Selkirk team as they started brightly.

Powerful drives and fierce tackling had given Selkirk the edge early on and they were rewarded with Bruce Riddell crashing over.

Banks added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

But Marr aren't title favourites for no reason and they showed plenty of skill to draw level midway through the half.

Stephen Adair touched down with Colin Sturgeon adding the straightforward conversion.

But back came Selkirk, and after repelling a few home charges up the park they managed to spin the ball about allowing Aaron McColm to nip in for a second score.

Again Banks landed the conversion.

And Selkirk held onto the 14-7 lead to half time.

Marr came out fighting in the second half and it took some desperate last-ditch defending to keep them at bay.

The pressure eventually led to Andrew Renwick being yellow carded for infringements around the scrum.

And the hosts quickly took advantage with Ross Millar touching down.

Sturgeon added the conversion before edging his team in front for the first time with a penalty.

Selkirk, though, were far from down and out.

The pack pushed the hosts back as time ticked away.

And with just three minutes remaining the home team were penalised at the scrum allowing Banks to keep his nerve and land the final penalty.

Selkirk. R Cottrell, H Birthray, F Anderson, D Clapperton, C MacDougall, R Banks, A McColm, L Pettie, J Bett, B Riddell, A Renwick, P Forrest, S Nixon, C Higgins, E MacDougall. Reps: H Borthwick, R Reilly, A Mackay, S McClymont & C McColm.