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ANOTHER confident display by Selkirk’s A team against
Hawick Harlequins at Wilton Park, saw the young Souters make it three wins out of three
this season. Saturday’s friendly fixture was no pushover for the visitors, however, with Harlequins making by far
the more positive start, posting a 17-12
lead with half an hour gone. After the interval (which featured a blistering pep talk by coach Brian Cassidy),
Selkirk stepped up a gear to take control of the game and score 27 unanswered points.
On a rock-hard pitch and with their forwards churning back a copious supply of ball, the visiting threequarters
scored six of the team’s seven tries, with centre Neil Brown notching a hat-trick and wing Craig Hunter collecting
a brace.
Up front teenage lock Chris Kemp caught the eye with some fearsome tackling, while skipper Bryan Hoggan brought
all his experience to bear at number eight and Jim Ross turned in a typically committed performance, despite still
having stitches in the eye injury sustained against Jed a week ago.
Scrum -half Michael McVie had an outstanding game, cleverly probing the fringes and linking well with half-back
partner Mark Easson, who himself had a highly productive afternoon, amassing 14 points from four conversions and
two penalties, as well as clearing his lines with the minimum of fuss.
It was also encouraging to see utility forward Robert Conway make his return to Selkirk colours after a season
away from Philiphaugh, while props Lindsay Carrick and Craig Patterson also made their first starts of the season.
’Quins took the lead through a Taylor try converted by Dave Amos, but immediately Selkirk drew level with Brown’s
fist try, converted by Easson. The home side went ahead again through a Mark Nichol try, but back came Selkirk
with a score by Bruce Armstrong following a quick tap penalty.
An Amos penalty increased ’Quins’ lead, but a Hunter try and an Easson penalty eased the visitors back in front
22-17 at halftime.
In the second period Selkirk’s pack proved too strong for a visibly tiring home eight, and tries came at regular
intervals from Hunter, John Pretswell and Brown (2).
On this form Selkirk A can look forward with confidence to their National 2nd XV League campaign, which kicks off
against Glenrothes in afortnight’s time.
SELKIRK A — D. Hulme, T. Walling,
B. Armstrong, N. Brown, C. Hunter, M. Easson, M. McVie, C. Patterson, J. Pretswell, G. Jeffrey, A. Bell, C.
Kemp, S. McKenzie, J. Ross, B. Hoggan. Replacements (all used): D. McFadzen, L. Carrick, R. Conway.
Referee — A. Ramage (Gala).
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