Selkirk 23 - 20 Watsonians: Selkirk victory over Watsonians marred by injuries

SELKIRK'S opening win of the season in a competitive basement battle was marred by a series of injuries, which will stretch the club's resources.

"Not what we wanted," said backs coach Rodney Pow at the weekend.

"We have lost Lee Jones and Alex Dunbar to the professional sides, and now the injuries, with also Scott Hendrie watching from the touchline with a badly damaged shoulder. Nevertheless, we will take that win and hope that the injuries clear up soon."

Captain Fraser Harkness hobbled off twice with a 'dead' leg and lock Simon Willett went off to hospital with a shoulder injury.

Head coach Graham Marshall admitted: "It was a pretty scrappy match, but our boys did well to hold on in the final minutes. We always knew that it would be hard this season."

Watsonians, however, may rue a penalty opportunity to level in the 79th minute before the referee added on four additional minutes. Mike Ker, playing scrum half this season for the first time, elected to kick to the corner as his club strived for full points rather than a share.

"I am fine with that," said coach Marcus Di Rollo. "We all see that we are making progress and we did have our chances."

Selkirk were able to field twins Niall Godsmark, who scored a try on his debut, and Ryan Godsmark, who started off on the bench, while the accurate goal-kicking of David Cassidy was also crucial to the final outcome.

Cassidy converted tries by Andrew Renwick and Niall Godsmark and kicked three penalties while Ker was on target for the visitors with two conversions of tries by Duncan Finnie and Sergio Ursache.

Scorers: Selkirk. Tries, Renwick, N. Godsmark. Cons, Cassidy (2). Pens, Cassidy (3). Watsonians. Tries, Finnie, Ursache. Cons, Ker (2). Pens, Ker (2).

Selkirk: F Harkness; N Godsmark, D Cassidy, R Armstrong, J Hendrie; G Craig, M McVie; M Weller, S Forrest, R Taylor, C Marshall, S Willett, N Darling, A Renwick, C Johnston. Subs: G Patterson, C Patton, I Walling, R Godsmark, A Lyall.

Watsonians: A Nash; R Minto, A Skeen, C Sorbie, A Rowe; R Aitken, M Ker; S Laird, N Hart, K Coertze, E Hunter, D Seeds, H Grant, D Finnie, S Ursache. Subs: J Blackwood, J Ferguson, D Moussa, S Paulo.

Referee: A McPherson.