Gala 3

BORDER LEAGUE

YOU could be forgiven for thinking that Selkirk have had the assistance of some higher power this season.

Why? Reigning Kings of the Sevens. Sitting in pole position in this year's sevens league, having won both tournaments so far. On target to make the Border League final. Knocking on the door of Premier One. And still in the Scottish Cup in round six, facing a trip to Haddington – a team they have beaten twice in the league this season – tomorrow.

So, when you look at where they were this time last season – staring relegation in the face – you may start thinking that God is lending a helping hand.

Coach Rodney Pow is beginning to see the light.

He told The Wee Paper: "If we go to Haddington, get a win, and come back with no injuries, somebody up there likes us.

"Last year, we were at the basement in Premier Two. This year look at us.

"But the players deserve it. They work bloody hard in training and enter every game – every game – with spirit and desire to win. They deserve everything they get."

The Souters are relatively free from injury, which is surprising given the intensity of their matches this season. And their impressive run of form will not have gone unnoticed by their opponents.

Yet Pow insisted that Selkirk will have to be on top of their game tomorrow.

He said: "We have beaten Haddington twice this season in the league. But only just.

"They are a cracking outfit, and will be on their own patch."

The cup may come second in the club's list of priorities this season, but the players tend to play every match with the same basic principle. Win.

Pow said: "Most of these lads are young, early twenties. You can't say to them that this competition is more important than another. A team on the front foot has a hell of a lot of belief. If we lose that we would risk losing our focus."

Focus was not a problem in the quagmire that was Philiphaugh on Saturday against old rivals Gala.

The entire match consisted of surprisingly few errors, given the surface, and several moments of sheer magic.

Selkirk soaked up early pressure from Gala before Fraser Harkness skipped across the mud to set up the first try – Ross Armstrong going over from a scrum won against the head. David Cassidy missed the tricky conversion.

Three minutes into the second half, substitute prop Martin Murray drove over from a maul to score the second try, Cassidy converting.

Gala came back at the end of the match with an Andy McLean penalty kick, but the Maroons were unable to add to it. If they had managed a losing bonus, it would have ensured Hawick could not make the final.

Selkirk: F. Harkness; R. Nixon, D. Cassidy, R. Armstrong, G. Blair; G. Craig, M. McVie; G. Paterson, I. Walling, A. McDowall, R. Aglen, E. Gauchè, N. Darling, D. Gray and S. Tomlinson. Subs: J. Hendrie, C. Johnston, K. Connor and M. Murray.