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Selkirk fightback proves too much for GHA
SCORE GIVEN. Referee
David Dods raises his arm to confirm that Selkirk centre Alistair Dickson has crossed the line for a try in Saturday's
game against GHA at Philiphaugh, much to the delight of Selkirk scrum-half Michael McVie. (Picture: Grant Kinghorn)
TRAILING at halftime, having failed to make best
use of the wind at their backs, Selkirk's players made amends in spectacular style in Saturday's showdown with
nearest rivals GHA, running in three second half tries to scupper the visitors' hopes of victory.
In doing so the Souters not only notched their third successive win at Philiphaugh, they picked up their fourth
scoring bonus point of the campaign - just reward for yet another dazzling display of running rugby, which has
become the hallmark of Darren Hoggan's young side.
However, a home victory had looked anything but assured in the contest's early exchanges, when two defensive lapses
in the first 14 minutes allowed GHA's strong-running Aussie centre Ross West to cross for a brace of tries, both
converted by Martin Dunn.
In between times Selkirk did manage a try of its own. Fraser Harkness' quickly taken tap penalty saw the ball reach
Alistair Dickson, and the former pro. player lobbed a perfectly judged pass to prop Gordon Patterson, who crashed
over the line for his first senior try. Michael Rutherford landed the tricky conversion.
Despite having the upper hand territorially, Selkirk simply couldn't find a way through the visitors' defence.
The home supporters' frustration increased when Scott Hendrie looked to be heading for a certain score in the corner,
only for the teenage wing to be called back after the final pass had been adjudged forward.
A successful penalty kick from Rutherford after 24 minutes cut GHA's lead to 14-10, and this was how things stood
at the interval.
Selkirk's luck changed straight from the restart, when an infringement by GHA at a ruck allowed Rutherford to send
over a penalty into the teeth of the wind, leaving the home team just a point adrift.
Shortly afterwards centre David Cassidy launched a quick-fire counter-attack from outside his 22, with the move
finally coming to a halt when Michael McVie was just squeezed out at the corner flag.
A score wasn't long in coming, however, and at the next scrum Rutherford broke right before flicking an inside
pass to Dickson, who took a couple of defenders with him as he burst over for his first try of the season. Rutherford's
conversion put Selkirk ahead for the first time in the match.
Spurred by this reversal, GHA skipper Alan Bulloch led an all-out assault on the Selkirk try line, and the home
side had Guy Blair to thank for making a last-ditch tackle when a score by the visitors seemed certain.
Blair, Cassidy and Ben Rawcliffe all came close to scoring at the other end of the field, but a succession of penalties
allowed the city team to regroup, and when McVie strayed offside at a scrum near the posts, Dunn stroked over the
resultant penalty to cut the Souters' lead to 20-17.
The next score was always going to be decisive, and it fell to Selkirk. Scott Hendrie did well to field a wickedly
bouncing clearance kick, and after beating his man on the outside he found Fraser Harkness up in support. The full-back
burst clear inside GHA's 22, and skipper Darren Hoggan was up to take the off-load and stretch out for a try in
the corner. Rutherford's touchline conversion was a gem.
Five minutes later the result was put beyond doubt. Visiting full-back Gareth Maclure got into fankle with team-mate
Niall Cassie when trying to deal with Cassidy's speculative kick, the ball being hacked on and gathered by Guy
Blair, who found Fraser Harkness at his elbow, and the powerful No. 15 steamed over the line for a try which had
the crowd roaring its approval.
To their credit GHA's players continued to take the game to their opponents, and their perseverance was rewarded
when wing Rory Watson touched down for a try wide on the right. This was followed by a monster penalty from the
boot of Martin Dunn with the final kick the game, earning the Braidholm club a thoroughly deserved losing bonus
point.
NEW DOUBLE ACT. Centre
Alistair Dickson (left) combined with Gordon Patterson to set up the prop's first try for Selkirk in Saturday's
victory over GHA. Later in the match Alistair got on the try scoring sheet himself for his first touchdown of the
season.
SELKIRK - F. Harkness, G. Blair, D. Cassidy, A.
Dickson, S. Hendrie, M. Rutherford, M. McVie, G. Patterson, B. Rawcliffe, M. Murray, N. Darling, M. Barnett, S.
Tomlinson, D. Rumney, D. Hoggan. Replacements (all used): R. Taylor, S. Renwick, K. Connor, A. Lyall.
G.H.A. - G. Maclure, R. Watson, A. Bulloch, R. West, N. Cassie, M. Dunn, P. Johnstone, W. Falconer, C. Brown, D.
Prankerd, C. Mason, A. Williamson, A. Boag, L. Hazleton, G. Harkness. Replacements (all used): P. Harkins, K. Lang,
A. McCormick, D. Ziolo.
Referee - D. Dods (Gala Star).
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