Selkirk 60

Musselburgh 26

SELKIRK’S 10-try demolition of Musselburgh at Philiphaugh on Saturday catapulted the Souters to fourth spot in the Tennent’s Premiership table.

No-one was happier with the win than home head coach Scott Wight.

“We played an attacking brand of rugby today,” he said after the match, “scoring some really good tries and taking our opportunities.

“I don’t think we’ve performed to our true potential since the Glasgow Hawks game, and that’s been frustrating. Yes, we’ve ground out some results, but we haven’t played the rugby I know we’re capable of. Today we backed ourselves to play a wee bit of rugby, and the scoreline reflected that.

“I thought Josh Mackay coming back into the side added energy, and he was really strong around the contact area. Ryan Cottrell scored three good tries off the wing, and credit has to go to Lewis Martin, who stepped in for his first start of the season and performed really well.”

Also making his first start for Selkirk was Kiwi tighthead prop Sean Rankin, who proved a solid scrummager and powerful ball carrier, while the pinpoint line-out throwing of James Bett ensured a reliable source of possession throughout the contest.

Selkirk reaped the rewards of sticking to a game plan based around secure ball retention, minimal kicking from hand and utilising the width of the pitch.

Although the visitors managed to rally after the interval (winning the second half 26-22), they were powerless in the face of Selkirk’s opening try blitz, which saw Ewan MacDougall’s men race to a 28-0 lead within the first quarter.

In fact one of the busiest individuals in the ground was Selkirk committee man George Welsh, whose match day duty was to man the Philiphaugh scoreboard.

Selkirk’s tries were scored by Ryan Cottrell (3), Henry Bithray (2), Josh Welsh (2), James Bett, Sean Rankin and Scott McClymont. Bithray added five conversions.

Musselburgh’s four tries came from Cameron Pryde, Paul Cunningham, Robert Stott and Euan Bonthron. Skipper Danny Owenson kicked three conversions.

The only cloud on the horizon for the home side came when Luca Merolle had to leave the field after over-extending his knee after gathering a high ball and landing awkwardly, while Josh Welsh required attention for a calf strain.

The Four Seasons ‘Selkirk Man of the Match’ award went to Lewis Martin.

Selkirk: H Bithray, F Anderson, J Welsh, L Martin, R Cottrell, C Anderson, L Merolle, L Pettie, J Bett, S Rankin, P Forrest, D Nichol, J Mackay, S McClymont, E MacDougall. Replacements: L Berte, B Riddell, J Houston, R Purves.