A View from the Touchline – Scottish National Cup: 26.10.19.

Selkirk 21 pts (t 3, c 3) v Currie Chieftains 44 pts (t 6, c 4, p g 2)

The Philiphaugh ground looked as pretty as a picture in the bright autumn sunshine, but some dark clouds, a chilly breeze and the occasional squally shower indicated some tough seasonal weather ahead; something similar was no doubt anticipated by the Chieftains as they prepared to meet a stuffy Souters team who are going well in the Premier League.

Playing with the wind, and their backs to the low blinding sunlight, the visitors were quick to take advantage of the elements. With barely three minutes on the clock, Robbie Nelson, making his first appearance of the season, soon confirmed his outstanding rugby credentials as he burst into the Selkirk 22; from the resulting breakdown, Cameron Lessels sent a quick pass to the charging Mike Vernel who raced 20 metres for the posts.

Gregor Hunter easily converted the try, and by the end of the first quarter he had added two penalty goals, as the Souters struggled to cope with Currie’s pace, accuracy and all-round quality of play. Selkirk tackled hard, and their robust pack was disruptive, but they took some time before getting anywhere near the visitors’ 22, and then a series of unforced errors let them down. The Chieftains continued to play their expansive style of rugby, and in a ten-minute spell before the break they had added to their tally. Charlie Brett was on the end of a delightful flowing move that went the width of the pitch and back again. His corner flag try was not converted, but Gregor Hunter was soon back amongst the points, as he ghosted through the Selkirk defence to score and then convert the try. The Scouters’ cause was not helped when their useful number eight was sent to the sinbin, following a series of infringements by his frustrated team.

Halftime score – Selkirk 0 pts, Currie Chieftains 25 pts.

Selkirk were lively at the start of the second half and made a number of threatening drives for the Currie line. Crisp passing from their backs, and darting runs from scrumhalf Scott Clark, kept the visitors’ defence busy. The Chieftains patiently persevered and again the Souters’ mistakes started to appear. From a breakdown in midfield, prop Cairn Ramsay picked up and sprinted 45 metres for the goal line with the Selkirk backs in hot pursuit. It was a superb, exciting individual passage of play appreciated by both sets of supporters. After a similar effort a couple of weeks ago, this is becoming a bit of a party-piece for the big likeable prop forward; unexpected and wonderful to watch. Gregor Hunter converted the try and then he gave his team a good field position following another Selkirk yellow card. Currie could not make much of their numerical advantage before they too were down to fourteen men for a similar high tackle offence. Matias Argiro was having a storming game carrying and tackling with distinction, before receiving his ten-minute spell in the sinbin.

After a long period of dull midfield stalemate, the Souters showed their counter-attacking skills and progressed to the Currie 5-metre line. Turnovers that first went one way, and then the other added to the excitement before Aaron McColm placed a perfect cross-field kick into the arms of Henry Bithray who went over for a converted try. This certainly acted as an incentive for the home team as they moved into another gear, cutting out the errors and running hard at Currie’s defence. An exact re-run of their first score set the game alight. Another precise cross-field kick found Ryan Cottrell who dived in at the corner flag. A terrific conversion from Scott Clark sent the locals wild and the Souters on course for a fight-back that turned into a finale of exciting festival style rugby.

Two converted tries in quick succession sparked a Chieftains response. Some excellent team-work rolled play towards the Souters’ 22. The splendid Michael Vernel galloped 20 metres before passing to Robbie Nelson, who shrugged off a couple of tacklers and hurtled in for a try that was not converted; Graeme Carson, Josh O’Brien and Hamish Ferguson were also in the thick of the non-stop action. Far from being finished, Selkirk rallied with confident back play and a rampant display from their pack. Henry Bithray stepped out of several ineffectual tackles, made ground and put Nathaniel Armstrong into space for a free run to the line. Scott Clark kicked the conversion, as the rip-roaring show continued.

Spectators knew that the final whistle was imminent, but there was still sufficient time for Gregor Hunter to accelerate through half a gap and pop a lovely pass to Robbie Nelson who was on his shoulder. Gregor Hunter converted the try which crowned a very good result at a difficult venue. The Chieftains will be returning to Philiphaugh at the end of November for their return Premier League fixture; the match should be an interesting spectacle.

Last weekend’s postponed League match against Aberdeen has been rearranged for next Saturday, 2nd November at 3.00 pm. Hopefully the weather will co-operate this time, and Malleny Park can welcome a big crowd after coverage of the Rugby World Cup Final in the morning. I.J.S. – 27.10.19.

Currie Chieftains Team –

15 Charlie Brett, 14 Steven Hamilton, 13 Adam Hall, 12 Robbie Nelson, 11 Archie MacLean, 10 Gregor Hunter,

9 Cameron Lessels, 8 Wallace Nelson, 7 Josh O’Brien, 6 Hamish Ferguson, 5 Matt Poole, 4 Michael Vernel,

3 Graeme Carson, 2 Fergus Scott, 1 Matias Argiro.

Bench – Ewan Blair, Cairn Ramsay, Sam Edwards, Cameron Meager, Fraser Sayers.

Match Officials –

Referee – Ross Mabon

AR 1 – Sean Niven

AR 2 – Dean Lythgoe

Photography (c) GrantKinghornPics.co.uk