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Selkirk players hold their nerve
to win first Border League title for 55 years
Full Match Report Click Here
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
Captain Neil Darling and his jubilant team-mates give vent to their joy at Poynder Park on Monday night, after
receiving the BSPC Border League trophy from BL president John Davidson (right).
HARKY IN A HURRY. Selkirk full-back Fraser Harkness sprints past Jed skipper Scott Laidlaw, in a move which eventually
saw Scott Tomlinson chip to the corner for Ross Armstrong to score his second try of the match. [Pictures: Grant
Kinghorn]
AS soon as the final whistle sounded to end the
2007/2008 BSPC Border League play-off final on Monday night, Selkirk's euphoric supporters swarmed across the Poynder
Park pitch to salute their team's 19-9 victory over Jed-Forest. This was the Philiphaugh club's first Border League
title since George Downie's side won the championship in 1953, and follows hard on the heels of Selkirk's promotion
to Premier One and their second consecutive Kings of the Sevens title.
Surrounded by well-wishers, captain Neil Darling put his personal celebrations on hold as he searched the sea of
faces for someone who had taken no part in the play-off final, but who has been an integral part of Selkirk's phenomenal
season. That individual was his predecessor as 1st XV skipper Darren Hoggan, who three weeks ago suffered a dislocated
ankle and broke his leg in four places following a horrendous training ground accident.
It was typical of Duoro's unselfish leadership this season that, even at the height of Selkirk's phenomenal success,
he was more concerned about ensuring his injured team-mate receive recognition for the contribution he had made
to the Philiphaugh squad's achievements than worrying about savouring his moment in the spotlight. And so it was
that as the Selkirk players filed up into the stand to receive their medals, Darren Hoggan was right there alongside
his rugby mates, hobbling on crutches, but still managing to take centre stage on a night that will go down as
one of the most famous in the club's 100-year-history.
As he waited to hand over the trophy, it must have been a bittersweet moment for BSPC Border League president John
Davidson of Jed-Forest, who had just watched his own team lose out to Selkirk for the third time this season. To
his credit, Mr Davidson was as unstinting in his congratulations of Selkirk as he was in his praise for the Royal
Blues' players, all of whom had given their all in a pulsating, no-holds-barred final.
To a mighty roar from the hundreds of Selkirk supporters crammed in front of the Poynder Park grandstand, Neil
Darling duly received the Border League cup and raised it high above his head to signal the culmination of an incredible
season. He thanked the Jed team for a typically tough contest, before paying tribute to his own players.
"The players know how hard they have had to work to win this trophy, and I would like to take this opportunity
to thank them for their support and backing over the past few months. Everyone at Philiphaugh deserves credit for
the success we have had this year, from the committee and the players to our supporters and the club's sponsors.
It is a great feeling to be standing up here tonight, and it's now up to all of us to keep up the momentum next
season"
There followed a barrage of camera flashes as the Selkirk players wearily made their way back out on to the pitch
for a final round of photo calls. It is a night that will live long in the memory, and sets the stage for an equally
memorable club dinner at Philiphaugh this Saturday night. Selkirk's success story has just acquired a new and exciting
chapter…
SILVER LINING. Selkirk
coaches Kevin Barrie and Rodney Pow deservedly savour the moment following their team's stupendous title triumph
at Poynder Park on Monday night.
Selkirk players retain their
King of the Sevens crown at Jed-Forest tournament
LEADING FROM THE
FRONT. Selkirk skipper Neil Darling takes a scoring pass from team-mate Scott Hendrie to sprint home for the Souters'
decisive fourth try against Boroughmuir at Jed-Forest Sevens on Saturday. [Picture: Tanya Black]
HAVING been at the top of the Kings of the Sevens
table right from the start of the competition last August, Selkirk's players held their nerve at Saturday's Jed-Forest
Sevens to secure the three vital points which put them beyond the reach of title-chasing Watsonians. To retain
the trophy the club won for the first time last season is a remarkable feat, especially given the strength of the
Myreside playing squad.
Interviewed by Radio Borders immediately after the presentation of the Kings of the Sevens trophy at Riverside
Park on Saturday, Selkirk captain Neil Darling paid tribute to the efforts of his players. "It's been an incredibly
demanding season for the boys," said Neil, "but they've all stuck in and have got the job done. Words
can't really explain the way I feel right now, but the commitment of everybody involved at Philiphaugh is what
has helped get us here.
"Nobody thought we'd win promotion to Premier One but we went and did it, and I suppose not many people would
give us much chance of retaining the Kings of the Sevens title, but we've gone and done that as well. The self-belief
in the squad is amazing, and just goes to show that with hard work and the right attitude anything is possible.
My ambition has always been to play First Division rugby, and now that it's happened I can't wait for the new season
to start!"
Knowing that they needed to beat first round opponents Boroughmuir to make certain of keeping their Kings of the
Sevens crown, Selkirk took just 20 seconds to get on the scoreboard - scrum-half Fraser Harkness running in his
side's first try from 45 metres. However, Boroughmuir's players hadn't travelled to Riverside simply to make up
the numbers, and a neat bout of inter-passing culminated in Angus Martin crossing for the equalising try. Jamie
Davidson's successful conversion put the city team 7-5 ahead.
Soon afterwards another break by Harkness was continued by Rory Aglen and Neil Darling, and Eddie Gauché
raced up in support to take the final pass and crash over for Selkirk's second try. With halftime approaching,
Harkness was deemed to have deliberately obstructed Robbie Clark when the 'Muir player tried to follow up his own
chip kick, and the referee yellow-carded the Selkirk scrum-half. Ironically it was the Philiphaugh men who scored
next when a turnover following the penalty allowed Gavin Craig to pick up the loose ball and sprint over for a
try. David Cassidy's conversion made the halftime score Selkirk 17, Boroughmuir 7.
A second try by Angus Martin early in the second period cut the deficit to 17-12, but quick thinking by replacement
Scott Hendrie saw the winger pass inside to Neil Darling, and the Selkirk skipper needed no second invitation to
pin his ears back and race over for his side's decisive fourth try. It was left to Rory Aglen to put the issue
beyond all doubt with a smart try following a wheeled scrum. Although Boroughmuir managed to score late on to cut
the deficit to 10 points, the referee's final whistle signalled a 27-17 victory, and settled the destiny of the
2007/2008 Kings of the Sevens title.
For their quarter-final tie against Kelso, Selkirk's
selectors gave Ryan Crockatt and Ross Nixon a run-out. The Tweedsiders took an early 12-0 lead through tries by
Darren Gillespie and Ewan Ford, the latter converted by Sean Common, but Scott Hendrie touched down at the other
end following a good move involving Nixon and Darling. Before the interval Richard Minto restored Kelso's advantage
with a try which was converted by Common.
Behind 19-5, Nixon put more points on the board for Selkirk with a try midway through the second period, which
was converted by Cassidy. However, this was the final score of the tie, leaving the Black & Whites 19-12 victors.
In the semi-final Kelso lost out to Hawick, who in turn found themselves on the wrong end of a 45-17 scoreline
in the final against Watsonians. This was the Myreside men's third successive tournament victory, but still left
them two points short of Selkirk's 52-point tally at the top of the table.
KINGS OF THE SEVENS FINAL PLACINGS, 2007/2008
| |
P
|
W
|
R/U
|
S/F
|
Q/F
|
Pts
|
| Selkirk |
10
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
52
|
| Watsonians |
10
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
50
|
| Hawick |
10
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
42
|
| Kelso |
10
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
5
|
40
|
| Melrose |
10
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
5
|
30
|
| Peebles |
10
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
28
|
| Jed-Forest |
10
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
27
|
| Heriot's FP |
6
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
16
|
| N'ctl Falcons |
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
15
|
| Gala |
10
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
15
|
| Scot. Thistles |
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
13
|
***
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Selkirk Rhinos' tournament proves
yet another outstanding success
CROWDS of parents and supporters flocked to Philiphaugh
on Sunday for the 2008 Bannerman Burke Selkirk Mini-Rugby Tournament. This is the fifth year the event has been
sponsored by local solicitors Bannerman Burke, with perfect weather conditions setting the seal on a memorable
day.
Click here For full report
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Recent Results
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12/05 Jed 9 Selkirk 19 Report
22/04 Hawick 22 Selkirk 23 Report
05/04 Berwick 5 Selkirk 51 Report
29/03 Biggar 0 Selkirk 15 Report Match Photos
22/03 Selkirk 24 W.O. Scotland 10 Report
22/03 Selkirk 'A' 59, Berwick 2nds 7 Report
15/03 Haddington 52 Selkirk 10 Report
08/03 Selkirk 12 Gala 3 Report
08/03 Selkirk 2nd 5 Hawick Linden 14 Report
01/03 Falkirk 0 Selkirk 8 Report
01/03 Selkirk A 13 Peebles A 7 Report
16/02 Garnock 10 Selkirk 16 Report
16/02 Selkirk A 21 Melrose A 28 Report
09/02 Jedforest 23 Selkirk 30 Report
09/02 Selkirk 'A' 0, Edin Acc 2nds 32 Report
26/01 Aberdeen GS 12 Selkirk 29 Report
26/01 Aberdeebshire 2nds 17 Selkirk 2nds 21 Report
19/01 Selkirk 22 Cartha QP 14 Report
19/01 Selkirk 2nd 27 Jed 2nd 26 Report
05/01 Selkirk 13 Stew Mel 9
Report
29/12 Selkirk 8 Hawick 25 Report
15/12 Haddington 7 Selkirk 9 Report
08/12 Selkirk 33 Kelso 14 Report
01/12 Hillhead 17 Selkirk 27 Report
24/11 Selkirk 9 Muss'brg 8 Report
17/11 Selkirk 32 Hamilton 29 Report
10/11 West 39 Selkirk 15 Report
03/11 Selkirk 29 Aberdeen GS 7 Report
27/10 Cartha QP 11 Selkirk 17 Report
20/10 Selkirk 31 Jed 17 Report
13/10 Stew Mel 41 Selkirk 36 Report
06/10 selkirk 27 Hadd'tn 22 Report
29/09 Kelso 9 Selkirk 25 Report
15/09 Selkirk 52 H'head J'hill 13 Report
08/09 Hamilton 14 Selkirk 19 Report
01/09 Selkirk 17 Biggar 26 Report |
*****
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