Selkirk 21

PREMIER ONE

SOME debatable refereeing decisions coupled with a few handling errors cost Selkirk the points at Goldenacre.

With too many passes either not going to hand, or straight into the arms of an opposing player, the visiting Souters always looked second best.

Both teams made an edgy start with Selkirk giving away valuable possession. Colin Goudie scored the game's opening try. Graham Wilson added the conversion before a missed tackle allowed Greig Rutherford to sprint home for a second.

Ironically, it was a comedy of errors that resulted in the visitors getting their first points on the board just after the half hour mark. Heriot's jumpers stole possession on Selkirk's line-out throw, but failed to secure the ball, which squirted over the home try-line for skipper Neil Darling to drop on to. Cassidy stroked over the extras.

Another wild pass allowed Heriot's Stuart Bell to hack the loose ball upfield and touch down, Wilson's conversion leaving a half-time score of 19-7 to Heriots.

Two incidents after the break proved that it just wasn't going to be Selkirk's day. The first came when Fraser Harkness burst through for a try, only for the score to be chalked off for a debatable forward pass. Then Heriot's Michael Short was awarded a try in the corner, even though his foot appeared to be well in touch.

To their credit, Selkirk's players never let their heads drop and tries by Fraser Harkness and Michael McVie, both converted by Cassidy, helped keep them in the game, but a fifth home touchdown by Bell put victory out of reach.

Selkirk: F. Harkness; S. Hendrie, D. Cassidy, R. Armstrong, L. Jones; G. Craig, M. McVie; G. Patterson, I. Walling, M. Murray, S. Willet, R. Aglen, N. Darling, C. Johnston, S. Tomlinson. Subs: A. Renwick, S. Forrest, R. Taylor, A. Lyall, A. Dunbar.