Selkirk A 17

West of Scotland 2nds 14

IN a match crucial to both teams’ survival in BT Reserve League National 2, it was the home players’ gritty determination and burgeoning self-belief that eventually won the day.

Some way short of being at full strength because of injury and unavailability, Selkirk’s can-do attitude was epitomised by centre Dave Allan, who unhesitatingly switched from the threequarter line to number eight in order to boost the depleted home pack.

Allan’s ball-carrying skills and fierce tackling helped steady the Souters’ ship in the face of some potent West attacks, while openside flanker Strath Mackenzie was in equally uncompromising mood, having shaken off the effects of the neck injury sustained at Peebles last weekend.

At lock the irrepressible Willie McClymont had arguably his best game in a Selkirk jersey, while Jamie Turnbull made a successful return to the back row after a long injury lay-off, with lock Connor Ward battling equally hard after a similar absence.

Another influential figure for the home team was centre Josh Welsh, who used all his experience to shore up the home defences and launch counter-attacks at every opportunity, while full-back Rory Hamilton was always cool under pressure.

West took the lead with a converted try in the 11th minute, but on the 20-minute mark Selkirk drew level through a Dave Allan try converted by Josh Welsh.

Just before the interval West went ahead thanks to another converted try, making the halftime score Selkirk 7, West of Scotland 14.

Josh Welsh kicked a penalty on the hour mark to cut the deficit, and seven minutes from time the strong-running threequarter scored and converted Selkirk’s all-important try to secure a famous victory.

The Selkirk ‘Man of the Match’ award went to Dave Allan.

Selkirk: R. Hamilton, J. Griffin, L. MacLennan, J. Welsh, K. Gerrard, C. McColm, J. Wallace, R. Reilly, R. Purves, B. Riddell, C. Ward, W. McClymont, J. Turnbull, S. Mackenzie, D. Allan. Replacements: J. Stephen, R. Shiel, R. Legge, A. Rutter.