Selkirk u-16s 33

Currie Chieftains u-16s 20

John Smail

at Philiphaugh

IN what proved a great advertisement for age group rugby, Selkirk under-16s progressed to the second round of the East Youth Cup following Saturday’s hard-fought victory over a spirited Currie Chieftains u-16s side at Philiphaugh.

At the heart of the home side’s win was a dazzling individual display by Selkirk skipper Finlay Wheelans. The talented full-back scored four of the Souters’ five tries, adding four conversions for good measure to finish with a personal points haul of 28.

Coached by Ewen Robbie and Craig MacDougall, the Selkirk youngsters needed to be on their mettle against a big Currie team, whose second half fightback into the wind had the home players on the back foot for long spells.

“I thought we were outstanding in the first half,” said Ewen Robbie after the final whistle.

“The boys were really up for the game and showed just what they can do.

“They’ve improved so much from where we were earlier in the season, and are putting into practice everything we’ve been working on at training throughout the past few months.

“It was a good team performance. Finlay played very well, as did Josh Allan, Monroe Job, Sam McClymont and wee Finn Mallin at scrum-half. All credit to Currie, who always posed a threat and battled right to the end.”

Selkirk went 7-0 up within two minutes thanks to a fine try by Wheelans, but Currie soon cut the deficit with a try from their hooker, Sam Raphael.

Two further tries by Wheelans and one from Blake Cullen were countered by a try from Currie flanker Hamish Green, giving Selkirk a 28-10 halftime lead.

The second half saw the visitors deny Selkirk any meaningful possession or territory, and second tries for Raphael and Green put Currie right back in contention at 28-20.

It took Wheelans’ fourth try - following a fine cross-field kick by Cameron Easson – to put the result doubt, leaving the Selkirk players to celebrate a well-deserved victory and book themselves a place in the East Youth Cup’s second round draw.

Selkirk U16s: F. Wheelans, L. Inglis, B. Cullen, S. McClymont, C. Findlater, C. Easson, F. Mallin, H. Reid, C. Hendrie, M. Bury, D. Torrance, J. Allan, S. Clark, P. Macdonell, M. Job. Replacements: S. Martin, D. Oliver, T. Stanners.