Selkirk 21

Currie 44

Atholl Innes

at Philiphaugh

SELKIRK were outgunned and outmuscled in the Scottish Cup on Saturday at Philiphaugh.

But the break from league business was an opportunity to give players who had been injured or were emerging from the 2nds, the chance of vital match-time and experience at a higher level.

Currie scored six tries during an impressive display.

But the home players showed resilience and guts to put a better complexion on the final scoreline with a spate of second-half tries.

And Selkirk's tally came despite referee Ross Maben handing out yellow cards to Bruce Riddell for a high tackle and Ewan Madougall for coming in at the side after a previous warning.

Selkirk coach Scott Wight, nevertheless, found it a worthwhile exercise.

He said: “It is all about developing players.

“We were off the pace and the better team won, but the boys competed well.

"It is that time of the season where we see where we are.”

Selkirk welcomed back Andrew Renwick and gave Matthew Francis and Nathaniel Armstrong the opportunity to show their prowess, the latter scoring the final try from Henry Bithray’s break.

Currie were also shown a yellow card for a high tackle with Matias Argiro sent to the sin-bin.

And there could have been more as the physical presence of the visitors proved a determining factor, as was the play of former Gala man, Gregor Hunter, who scored a try and landed five conversions and two penalties.

It was one-way traffic in the first half as Currie made full use of the wind to lead 25-0 at the break.

Mike Vernel, Charlie Brett and Hunter, on the stroke of half-time, ensured that there would be only one winner and Hunter also banged over two conversions and two penalties.

Selkirk could not make the same progress in the second half with the wind at their backs, before the late rally which started with the side 0-32 down following Cairn Ramsey’s try and Hunter conversion.

Bithray continued his good form with a try to be followed by scores from Ryan Cottrell and young Nathaniel Armstrong, all converted by Scott Clark.

But Currie filled the gap with tries of their own from Robbie Nelson (2) and Hunter conversions.

However, the Cup still remains of little interest except of giving clubs giving new players a chance ahead of the league season kicking off again a week on Saturday.

Selkirk: H. Bithray; F. Anderson, A. McColm, L. Martin, R. Cottrell; C. Anderson, S. Clark; S. Rankine, J. Bett, B. Riddell, A.Renwick, D. Alexander, D, Nichol, J. Mackay, E. Macdougall. Replacements: M. Francis, L. Pettie, P. Forrest, L. Berte, N. Armstrong.