AFTER two defeats, Selkirk 'A' registered their first victory in the Edinburgh-Borders Cup with a hard-fought win over Peebles 2nds in a match played in gale-force conditions at The Gytes on Friday night.

The home side scored first when a couple of missed tackles allowed Peebles' strong-running full-back to side-step his way over for a try, which was converted. Two penalties from the boot of Selkirk fly-half Guy Blair followed soon after, giving Peebles a 7-6 lead at the interval.

With the wind now at their backs, Selkirk began to exert more control. Following a period of sustained pressure, skipper Fraser Jack put the visitors ahead when he capitalised on a scrum mix-up close to the home try line, stealing the ball to dive over for a touchdown in the corner.

With visiting number eight John Everitt at the heart of Selkirk's best forward drives, enough pressure was created on the home defence to concede a string a penalties, two of which were converted by Guy Blair to set the seal on an ultimately satisfying 17-7 win.

This Saturday Selkirk 'A' play their final Roadhead Farm Feeds Border Championship fixture against Kelso 2nds at Philiphaugh (kick-off time yet to be confirmed). Victory will guarantee the Souters runners-up spot in the league.

SELKIRK - J. Lyall, S. Jack, R. Nixon, N. Brown, B. Armstrong, G. Blair, F. Jack, R. Price, J. Stephens, B. Rawcliffe, P. Smail, S. Renwick, J. Ross, A. Millar, J. Everitt. Replacements: M. Rodgerson, S. Rodgerson, C. MacDougall, B. Henderson, S. McDonald, D. Purves, R. Cook, S. Forrest.


John Everitt - driving
force for Selkirk.