Late penalty just enough to book Selkirk’s final spot

Selkirk YC booked their place in next Sunday’s RBS under-18 Youth Cup final against Stirling County at Murrayfield by defeating Boroughmuir 6-5 at Victoria Park yesterday in a semi-final ultimately decided by a penalty goal.

Selkirk YC, unlucky to lose leading points scorer, Kieran Monks, after only a minute of play, won the game through strong defence and the greater share of possession won by their forward pack. For their part Boroughmuir paid the price for a slow start and an inability to make their greater physical advantage count. Like their opponents Boroughmuir also missed several potentially match-winning kicks at goal.

Selkirk YC led 3-0 at the break from a penalty by centre Josh Welsh but, midway through the second half, Boroughmuir engineered an impressive try.

The move was started by full back Jack Broadley and carried on by right wing Damien Hoyland before flanker Joe Jones provided the scoring pass for left wing Jordan Edmonds to touch down in the corner for the seemingly decisive score.

But Selkirk hit back at the death with what proved to be a winning penalty goal from Welsh.

Selkirk YC: K Monks; T Duncan, L MacLennan, J Welsh, S Hendry; C McEwan, T Penman; C Turnbull, R Purves, F McKerracher, J Lunt, A Nichol, J Haughley, S McClymont, C Grieve Subs used S McKinnon, B Riddell, C Mordue, J Houston, J Elliot, K Stillie, F Watt

Boroughmuir: J Broadley; D Hoyland, E Smith, S Mackle, J Edmonds; A Fraser, A Webb; C Scotland, L Robinson, R Gregor, L Black, P Dobson, J Jones, J Rawcliffe, B Stenhouse Subs used C Cormack, J Theurer, D McKerron R Gregor, N Alexander, J Martin, H Smith, D Young.

Referee: C Reevley (Gala).