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Scottish Hydro Electric National
Cup 4th Round
NO WAY THROUGH. Selkirk
hooker Ian Walling is halted by a Garnock defender in Saturday's cup tie, but flanker Ryan Crockatt is up in support
to carry on the move.
The 4th Round Cup Draw served up a potential "banana
skin" for Selkirk in the shape of Garnock. The Ayrshire outfit recently gained promotion to Premier League
Division 3 which is a great achievement. Against a determined team that has averaged 40 points per game in winning
16 of their 17 league games played, this was always going to be a tricky encounter for the visiting Souters.
Indeed, an early welcome was dished out at Lochshore in the shape of a Garnock try with less than 5 minutes on
the clock. Choosing to kick a penalty into the corner proved to be the correct option when, from the ensuing line-out,
flanker Stewart Wilson was driven over the line for the opening points from a catch and drive move. David Cassidy
missed an opportunity to narrow the gap from a penalty but soon made amends with a successful kick. Much of the
play was conducted in the Garnock half but Selkirk were finding it difficult to score against a well organised
defence. The 5-3 half-time score line indicated that a tight affair was in prospect and Selkirk were dealt a blow
15 minutes into the second half when Andy Lyons scored an unconverted try in the corner. Surprisingly, Garnock
were running penalties at every opportunity and tactically this possibly contributed to their downfall. Points
on the board are always handy in a close game and it was the dependable David Cassidy who drew Selkirk level with
a try and conversion going into the final quarter. The same player edged the visitors into the lead with his second
penalty after 70 minutes and extended it further with only five minutes to play. The final whistle came as a relief
to the Selkirk contingent and full credit to Garnock for putting up such a battle. Full-back David Cassidy contributed
all 16 points for Selkirk and his form has been quite outstanding this season. The Philiphaugh stalwarts will now
be hoping for a home tie in the 5th Round Draw, something that has evaded them for the past three years.
HENDRIE IN A HURRY. Wing Scott Hendrie pulls out all the stops in pursuit of a Selkirk kick in Saturday's match
against Garnock at Lochshore on Saturday. Skipper Neil Darling is, as ever, right up with play to back up his team-mate.
[Pictures: Grant Kinghorn]
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