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HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
Falkirk's players appear shell-shocked as Selkirk No. 8 Scott Tomlinson (hidden) scores a try in the dying seconds
of Saturday's fifth round Scottish Hydro Electric Cup tie at Sunnyside to seal Selkirk's 8-0 victory. Looking on
is Selkirk centre Alistair Lyall, who provided the scoring pass. Selkirk's other points came from a David Cassidy
penalty. [Picture: Grant Kinghorn]
Scottish Hydro Electric Cup 5th
Round Saturday 1st March 2008
Sunnyside was the venue for Selkirk's latest Cup game, although it proved to be anything but sunny. The quagmire
of a pitch made running rugby almost impossible and Selkirk faced a stiff breeze in the first half against a very
competent Falkirk outfit. They have already clinched a place in Premiership 3 next season, their fifth promotion
in as many years and put Premier 2 team, Hillhead-Jordanhill to the sword in the previous round.
Selkirk lost the services of Scotland Under-20's winger, Lee Jones with a painful ankle injury after only 5 minutes
play bringing Jason Hendrie into early action as substitute. Falkirk stormed into the attack and Selkirk had to
defend well. The passages of play were conducted exclusively in the visitor's half during the first quarter. However,
Falkirk fell foul of the referees whistle on numerous occasions thereby allowing the Souters to clear the danger
areas. The Sunnysiders were reduced to 14 men when the referee brought out the yellow-card for repeated infringements
and Selkirk gradually worked play upfield with Falkirk having to defend their line for a change. Ex-Caledonian
Reds and Bourgoin stand-off, Mark McKenzie triggered off a blistering Falkirk attack from deep inside his own 22
and Jason Hendrie brought out a superb tackle to save the day. Selkirk centre, Ross Armstrong then stormed through
from midfield and almost broke the deadlock. Full-Back, David Cassidy had the opportunity to put points on the
board for Selkirk after 25 minutes but his long range effort fell just short. With half time approaching Falkirk
kept running the ball when it may have been the better option to kick for position given the glutinous underfoot
conditions. Their forwards, with veteran Scotland hooker, Kevin McKenzie and skipper Bob Wyllie always to the fore,
were matching up well. However, Selkirk's captain, Neil Darling was equally prominent with Eddie Gauche, Rory Aglen,
Martin Murray and Scott Tomlinson all contributing effectively in the pack. The interval score line of 0-0 came
as a relief to the large travelling support.
Falkirk had an early chance to notch up 3 points in the 2nd half, but Mark McKenzie's penalty attempt slid wide.
The conditions were simply not conducive to place kicking. However, Cassidy managed to master the elements with
a fine strike after several phases of controlled play by the Souters had earned a penalty. Darling was then yellow
carded to put pressure back on the visitors again and McKenzie spurned a penalty kick opportunity in front of the
posts to punt into touch at the corner. The swirling wind carried the ball dead and a relieved Selkirk retained
their important, albeit narrow, lead. Cassidy missed a couple of long range kicks at goal from penalty awards but
Falkirk were unable to make much impression into the wind. Flanker Calum McAskill had a storming run to excite
the Falkirk fans but Selkirk's defence held firm and looked quite comfortable for the remainder of the game. The
visitors made better use of the wind to keep the play deep in Falkirk territory. A last ditch attempt to move the
ball wide from their 22 backfired for Falkirk when Scott Tomlinson seized on a spillage, gathered and crashed over
for a try in the corner. All credit to the recently promoted Falkirk team for putting up such a valiant battle
and they will certainly add value to the Premiership next season. As for Selkirk, they managed to progress through
to the next round of the Cup without conceding a point against a well structured Falkirk team. Both sets of players
deserve medals for persevering in mud bath conditions. The final score: Falkirk 0 Selkirk 8.
If you would like
to view more photographs of saturday's game against Falkirk, click this link courtesy of G.Honeyman Falkirk Rugby
Club
Falkirk
RFC v Selkirk RFC Photogallery
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