Heriot's 44 - 20 Selkirk: Heriot's race away from Selkirk in closing minutes

"We threw away a lot of ball in the first 50 minutes," he said. "The guys have worked hard on their fitness and played some nice rugby. You do the hard work in the first hour and then stretch away. We still have injuries, but the guys playing are doing pretty well."

Selkirk were still in contention at 23-20 with 11 minutes left, but three quick tries deprived them of a losing bonus point.

Selkirk were outdone by the power and pace of the Heriot's side, for which the British and Irish Cup has proved a fitness bonus in this ruptured season, while Mark Lee, the former Borders Reiver, played an outstanding role.

"We could not cope with their forwards' power and the lack of games did not help," said Selkirk coach Kevin Barrie. And he could also point to more indiscipline when Neil Darling was yellow-carded by Italian referee Marius Mitrea – although they conceded only a penalty in that time.

Yet the damage was inflicted later when first-half try scorers Colin Goudie and Alan Dymock crossed the line again, while Lee and Jonny Alston also touched down. Graham Wilson kicked the remaining points.

Selkirk were drawn into a false sense of security with scores from Rory Aglen and Gavin Craig, David Cassidy kicking the points – only to be left contemplating a relegation contest.

Scorers: Heriot's: Tries: Goudie (2), Dymock (2), Lee, Alston. Cons: Wilson 4. Pens: Wilson 2.

Selkirk: Tries: Aglen, Craig. Cons: Cassidy 2. Pens: Cassidy 2.

Heriot's: C Goudie; J Alston, M Nimmo, P Saunders, A Douglas; G Rutherford, G Wilson; A Dymock, F Gillies, W Blacklock, J Hill, C Osazuwa, M Lee, S Dewar, J Syme. Subs: S Burnett, J-P Ward, T McVie, M Goldie, R Tran.

Selkirk: F Harkness; D Clapperton, S Hendrie, D Cassidy, L Jones; G Craig, M McVie; G Patterson, D Grieve, M Murray, R Aglen, S Willet, N Darling, C Johnston, A Renwick. Subs: R Nixon, S Forrest, D Moussa, R Taylor, J Smyth.

Referee: M Mitrea