Young Selkirk 'A' side handed lesson by determined Linden

Openside flanker Neil Brown - scored Selkirk's only try of the match.

VISITORS Hawick Linden, who play their rugby in National Division 5 East, proved too much of a handful for the home team in Saturday's friendly at Philiphaugh. Selkirk will need to show a big improvement if they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in this season's new Border Championship. Quicker to the breakdown and more aggressive in the loose, Linden raced to a 24-0 halftime lead through tries from Craig Smith (2), John Tait and Gary Wardle, with Smith kicking two conversions for good measure.
The match marked the first appearance in a Selkirk jersey of new Aussie recruit Ian McConnel, who showed one or two deft touches, and whose prodigious line-kicking will have been noted. McConnel's half-back partner Fraser Jack, who captained the side, proved the home team's most effective performer on the day, and began to instil more passion into his charges after the break.
A jinking run by full-back Bruce Armstrong set up Selkirk's only score of the afternoon, when Neil Brown surged past a couple of defenders to touch down for a try. McConnel added the conversion. A special mention must go to teenage flanker Andrew Millar, who vindicated the senior sevens selectors' faith by showing bags of commitment and no little skill in his first Selkirk 'A' outing, while it was encouraging to see hooker Alan Marshall back on active duty for the home club.

SELKIRK - B. Armstrong, G. Fairbairn, P. Cameron, G. Lyall, S. Jack, I. McConnell, F. Jack, J. Stephens, A. Marshall, R. Price, K. Connor, M. Rodgerson, A. Millar, N. Brown, S. Renwick. Replacements - S. Rodgerson, E. Robbie, T. Walling.