Watsonians 28

PREMIER ONE

SELKIRK'S amazing ability to pull games out of the fire continued at Philiphaugh on Saturday, where a pacy, well-drilled Watsonians side succumbed in the dying minutes to the home team's passion, self-belief and boundless spirit.

With the wind behind them, Watsonians set a hot pace from the outset, and it took a couple of cracking tackles by comeback man Ross Armstrong to keep the visitors' slick back division in check.

But the city men took the lead in the 13th minute when Jamie Blackwood sprinted over for a well-worked try.

Four minutes later, Watsonians doubled their lead, this time skipper Torrie Callander touching down under the posts. Michael Ker added both conversions.

Rory Aglen came off the replacements bench and made an immediate impact.

The lanky lock began a move which resulted in pro hooker Sean Crombie being driven over for a try.

Armstrong's sweetly-struck conversion and a penalty shortly afterwards put Selkirk right back in the game.

Watsonians regained the initiative almost straight from the restart and Richard Minto produced a burst of sizzling pace to cut a swathe through the home defence and score an excellent solo try.

Just when it looked as things were beginning to look bleak for the home side, a high bounce was plucked from the air by Scott Hendrie, who crashed over the line.

Following a bout of sustained pressure, lock Jeff Nicholson scored a bonus point try for the visitors and Ker's successful conversion kick gave 'Sonians a commanding lead at the break.

With the wind now at their backs, Selkirk relied on Scott Tomlinson's powerful left boot and a series of clever grubber kicks from McVie to keep the visitors pinned in their own half.

Visiting skipper Torrie Callander received a yellow card for repeated ruck infringements and instead of kicking the straightforward penalty, Selkirk opted for the scrum, and as the short-handed city pack were shunted backwards, Scott Tomlinson pounced on the ball for a classic pushover try. Armstrong's conversion reduced the deficit.

The turning point came when yet another mazy run by Lee Jones carved an opening for Gavin Craig, who dummied his way through to score.

McVie's successful conversion put Selkirk ahead for the first time in the match and when the same player added a penalty to stretch the home team's lead in the dying seconds of the game, it looked all over.

However, referee Andrew McMenemy still had nine minutes of injury time on his watch, and the home players had to strain every last muscle for a last-ditch defensive effort as Watsonians threw everything bar the kitchen sink at the home team in a desperate bid to salvage victory.

Thankfully the thin blue line held firm, and the crowd's roar of delight when the final whistle eventually sounded must have been audible as far away as Netherdale.

Selkirk: G. Blair; S. Hendrie, R. Nixon, R. Armstrong, L. Jones; G. Craig, M. McVie; G. Patterson, S.