SELKIRK ADVERTISER REPORTS

Published on Fri Oct 22 07:00:00 BST 2010

DESPITE suffering a demoralising 43-17 defeat at Philiphaugh last Saturday, Selkirk’s rugby players are ready to grasp the play-off lifeline.

The challenge is on. A third season in Premier One the prize.

And a battle against the top four in Premier Two is all that stands between the Souters and their goal.

“This is a second chance and the games against Glasgow Hawks, at Anniesland tomorrow, 3pm, and Hawick at home the following week are now being considered ‘pre-season’ said rugby director Dennis Henderson.

Things are tight in the second flight as teams battle for a place in the top four, but it is likely that the final quartet will come from a group of seven: Edinburgh Accies, Gala, Peebles, Aberdeen Grammar, Falkirk, Jed-Forest and Hillhead/Jordanhill.

Henderson knows what he’ll be doing this weekend: “I think I will go over to watch Gala (against Kirkcaldy) this Saturday and see what the standard is there,” he added.

The scoreline last weekend flattered Heriot’s – even visiting coach Bob McKillop agreed. But again bulk was the winner as Selkirk fell away in the closing stages.

Coach Graham Marshall is now looking ahead. He said: “What matters now is performance and building confidence.

“We are expecting a very hard game at Hawks who are going well, however, we see this as ideal preparation for the play-off games.

Marshall and his team were waiting to assess injuries and availability at training last night, but have Lee Jones and Scott Hendrie available tomorrow.

Things looked promising last week as Selkirk kept themselves in touch with their visitors.

Mark Lee charged over first for Heriot’s before skipper Graham Wilson added a penalty.

It took the Souters 15 minutes to get themselves up into Heriot’s territory, but when they did the move paid dividends with early substitute Ryan Godsmark falling over the line to dent the scoreline.

Heriot’s struck back with a Colin Goudie try which Wilson converted to give his side a 15-5 lead at the break. The Philiphaugh men stuck in and forced their way back to the Heriot’s line early in the second half and after witnessing his team being held up once, captain Fraser Harkness took the long way round on a solo effort to score between the posts. Cassidy converted.

Back came Heriot’s though, with Glenn Bryce giving the home defence the runaround and Wilson converting.

Chances continued at both ends and when a touchdown did come it was fast and stylish – Darren Clapperton going on a weavy run from 25 metres out to touch down at the corner flag.

It was 17-22 with 10 minutes remaining. However, that was all the time it took for Heriot’s to demolish the game.

Tries from Greg Walker, Bryce and Max Learmonth, all converted by Wilson, ended the game in convincing fashion.

This article was originally posted on 22-Oct-2010, 11:11 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 22-Oct-2010, 11:13.