Selkirk on brink of title glory
JUST one more victory (two points) would see Selkirk Youth Club take the 2011/12 Scottish Borders Semi-Junior League title.
But the young Souters will have to wait. For this weekend they launch their campaign for the National Youth Cup and will be looking to carry the momentum from their latest win against last year’s Borders winners when they face North under-18s victors Deeside at Victoria Park.
Last week Youth Club made the journey south of the border to Corbridge for a tough encounter which provoked a workmanlike performance from the local lads.
Finding it difficult to break through a well-organised defence, Selkirk skipper Josh Welsh fired some probing kicks into the Tynedale 22, but the hosts looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Play was scrappy for a while, but after some good attacks by the visitors, Welsh knocked over a penalty to put them ahead after 10 minutes.
Callum McEwan was creating some spaces when jinking his way forward, and after one such build-up the lively stand-off loaded to Kieran Monks who powered his way through a couple of tackles to score near the posts.
This seemed to rattle Tynedale and shortly after the ever-alert McEwan showed some football skills to knock the ball over the home try line to touch down. Welsh converted both touchdowns.
Tynedale gathered themselves together and despite some determined defending by the Souters they were unable to stop the impressive home No. 8 from touching down.
The homesters were having a good spell and the Youth Club forwards worked well as a unit to prevent Tynedale’s pack from scoring again before half-time, leaving the interval tally at 17-5 to the visitors.
The second half started the same way as the first had finished, with Tynedale working their way into the Youth Club half.
After absorbing this for about 10 minutes, Welsh made a break and a strong run by Jamie Haughey ended with Ross Purves running through to score. With confidence returned, Youth Club continued the assault and Welsh showed his strength to burst through to bag a try which he also converted.
After once again absorbing all that the Northumbrians could throw at them, Lewis MacLennan intercepted a Tynedale pass and after some good passing, supporting winger Thomas Duncan finished off by crossing the line between the posts. Welsh booted over the extras. Again Tynedale would not give up and after good play and pressure they broke through to score and convert, closing the gap to 36-12 with 10 minutes remaining.
News then filtered through that Melrose Wasps had beaten title-chasing Gala Wanderers and this seemed to boost the Souters. The final try came when substitute winger Kyle Stillie set up Monks who brushed aside a number of tackles to touch down, with Welsh converting.
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Weather for Selkirk
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
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