Selkirk seek Border League solace

MELROSE tonight head to Peebles in search of their third piece of silverware in as many weeks when they face Selkirk in the Border League Final.

However, it will be a bittersweet occasion for Selkirk as the club prepares to return to Premier Two after a struggle to keep afloat in the top flight this season. The club has taken the controversial step of sacking coaches Graham Marshall and Rodney Pow after only a season in charge, but Marshall has agreed to stay on until after tonight's game. Both Marshall and Pow have been great servants of the club as players and coaches, Marshall also at the heart of bringing together the youth set-up in the town over the past two decades as a high school teacher and coach.

This will be Selkirk's fifth Border League final in a row, the last three won and, while they are underdogs tonight, the fact that they came from behind to stun Melrose at the Greenyards in last year's final will be weighing on the minds in both camps.

Marshall said: "It is a bit sad for me because everyone knows it wasn't my choice that I'm leaving, but I'm looking forward to the final.

"The boys have shown how much the Border League means to them and the club with a very good performance against Gala in particular to get here."

Melrose coach Craig Chalmers was keen to stress that, despite league and Melrose Sevens success this month, there would be no easing off. "Saturday was great for the players and the club, but we have to get ourselves back up again because the Border League does mean a lot."

Melrose: Fraser Thomson; Callum Anderson, Jamie Murray, Joe Helps, Allan Dodds; Scott Wight (capt), Robert Chrystie; Nick Beavon, Wayne Mitchell, Richard Higgins, Garry Elder, Hayden Mitchell, John Dalziel, Grant Runciman, Graeme Dodds. Subs: Nicky Little, Graham Innes, Ross Miller, Stuart Johnson, Bruce Colvine, Ben Allan, Chris Hardie.

Selkirk: Fraser Harkness; Ciaran Beattie, David Cassidy, Ross Nixon, Darren Clapperton; Gavin Craig, Michael McVie; Rob Taylor, Stuart Forrest, Matthew Weller, Rory Aglen, Simon Willett, Neil Darling, Ryan Crockett, Andrew Renwick. Subs: Matthew Martin, Martin Murray, Callum Marshall, Euan McDougall, Rory Banks, Craig MacDougall, Jason Hendrie.