Kelso stage a Border raid on Hawick

NEW Kelso chief Eugene Murnane has stunned Border rivals Hawick by luring two of their top stars to Poynder Park - and a third could also be on the way.

Forwards Dave Lowrie and Ally Marsh quit the Greens to help their neighbours in their quest to return to the top flight, with utility back John Coutts poised to follow in their footsteps. Hawick have also lost winger Craig Robertson and flanker Gary Lowrie to another local outfit, Gala. Despite losing so many frontline players in one go, coach Deke Armstrong insisted there was no panic.

Ambitious Kelso snapped up the highly-rated Murnane from Cartha Queens Park. The Welshman had previously worked with Scottish Universities and Young Munster.