Kelso 24

Jed-Forest 29

Michael Lyall at Poynder Park

KELSO welcomed neighbours and rivals Jed-Forest to Poynder Park for the annual Kenneth Ballantyne Memorial Trophy.

The hosts started the match at a frantic pace and took the game to Jed through the forwards.

It wasn’t long before prolific scorer Andy Tait scurried his way through a non-existent Jed defence at the ruck.

Craig Dods added the extras.

Jed were soon on the attack themselves and nearly scored a cracking try through winger Robbie Shirra-Gibb. The winger looked like he was in at the corner but Kelso tacklers managed to put him into touch.

The visitors were soon on the score board, a golf style duff from Craig Dods presented Lewis Young with ball and he set off down the wing and after involving his brother Gregor, then Robert Hogg, it was left to Monty Mitchell who broke two Kelso tacklers to score at the corner.

Robbie Yourston added a fine conversion.

Jed had their tails up now and looked to have gone over again when Lewis Young finished off a very impressive back line move but referee Colin Reavley brought play back for a forward pass.

The game was becoming hugely physical as you would expect in a Border derby and both sides were really going for it.

The Kelso pack managed to create a good score for Nick Hart. A fine lineout take by Ian Wallace set up the driving maul to within five metres. When the maul collapsed the ball was recycle and Tait fed Hart and he smashed his way over the line.

The visitors were next to get over the line with winger Robert Hogg finishing off a very slick back line move. Yourston landed another fine conversion.

Kelso had the chance to go into the interval in front but declined the chance of the three penalty points and kicked to touch. Unfortunately for the home side they lost the ball from the line out and went into the half time interval losing by two points 14-12.

Jed started the second half the better and another break from the backs created a chance for Callum Young but the young flyer knocked the ball on and the chance was gone.

Jed extended their lead when Tait was adjudged to have been too eager to get his opposite number Sean Godfellow and referee Reavley gave the penalty. Yourston made no mistake.

The men from Riverside Park were now in control of the match and scored a try by big prop Paulo Ferreira.

There was no rest for Kelso and two minutes after Ferreira went over, his colleagues were over again. Callum Young made up for his knock on by finishing off a move started by Gregor Young, with Callum scampering in from the 22 metre line.

Yourston added the extras and the game looked over.

Kelso rallied and scored a try through young Angus Roberts. The ball was recycled and fed along the line and some good hands from Tony Wichary fed the winger. Dods missed the extras.

The home side had the bit between their teeth again and scored another try through Arran Jackson. The move was started by a fine break by stand off Dods. The former Gala man had an outstanding match and he fed Jackson who flew in for the try. Dods added the extras.

Kelso tried and tried in the last few seconds to break their visitors down but it wasn’t to be.

And Jed went home with the Ballantyne Memorial Trophy.