Selkirk 40-19 Stewart’s Melville

SELKIRK gave coach Brian Cassidy the perfect send-off last night at Philiphaugh in their final game of the season.

Scorers: Selkirk – Tries: Renwick, Kissick, Craig, Everitt, Bett, Turner. Cons: Banks (5). Stewart’s Melville – Tries: McDonald, Shaw, Manning. Cons: Trotter (2).

Selkirk won this previously postponed match in style with six tries to cement their place in the league after an entertaining 80 minutes.

It was a night, also, to mark the end of a huge contribution of one man. Cassidy has been the driving force behind the club for many years. “I’ve enjoyed working with the players and will miss being part of the team,” he said. “I’ve been here for 40-odd years and been involved with the firsts for seven years or so. I will miss speaking to the boys. But I am not finishing and will just not be going on the pitch.”

The players could not have given him a better start with two tries in the opening six minutes through Andrew Renwick and Matt Kissick, the second converted by Rory Banks. Selkirk dominated despite a yellow card and the visitors were unable to cash in.

Selkirk ran the ball from their own half for Gavin Craig to touch down and Banks convert. However, Stewart’s were not to be denied and Stuart Macdonald cut the deficit before the break.

Stewart’s stepped up the pace, but foundered against a resilient Selkirk defence and were made to pay when John Everitt added a fourth try, converted by Banks.

James Bett scored an interception try and Banks converted before Stu Shaw added a score converted by Seb Trotter.

In a final flurry, Eddie Turner added a sixth try for Selkirk and Banks converted while Ben Manning completed the scoring.

Selkirk: F Harkness; R Banks, L MacLennan, C MacDougall, A Given; C Craig, M Davies; M Waldron, S Forrest, C Graur, A Renwick, E Turner, E MacDougall, A Duckett, M Kissick. Subs: C McColm, R Wilson, C Henderson, J Bett J Everitt.

Stewart’s Melville: C Marshall; S Macdonald, S Allan, N Bowie, A Greig; S Trotter, R Cook; W Aitken, R Mackenzie, P Cringle, S Brewster, F Morrison, A Howie, B Manning, A Lane. Subs: I Miller, N Whittle, S Shaw, S Richards.

Referee: N Caerns.