Coldstream 0

Tweeddale Rovers 2

Blair Meikle at Haome Park

TWEEDDALE Rovers clinched the Border Amateur ‘B’ Division title on Saturday with a 2-0 win at Coldstream Amateurs.

Already promoted, Tweeddale ensured that they would be going up as champions with second half goals from Mark Rathie and Grant Wilson.

Avoiding a wobble against an opponent who have been tricky in recent encounters means that they can enjoy the final two league fixtures without the pressure of having to pick up results.

Coldstream, as always, made it difficult for their visitors but Rovers were good value for their win.

Steven Waugh ploughed a lone furrow up front for Streamers and worked hard to fashion half chances, but he could not do it all on his own.

Bailey Paterson did manage to get forward on one occasion but his shot from the edge sailed over.

Other than that it was all red and white attacks. Ruaraidh McNaughton had a shot cleared off the line by a covering defender and several other attacks were staved off by vigorous defending.

Tackles were made and there were always enough numbers in defence to block the way to goal. Scott Triebel also made an impressive save from Lindsay’s low effort.

The breakthrough came in the second half, seconds after recovering co-manager Jimmy Moffat had appeared on crutches, and it was a first goal in six years for Rathie. The defender rarely even goes up for set pieces but decided to venture for two in quick succession.

He got on the end of the first but his header back across goal failed to be met by a team mate.

Another deep free kick by Lindsay found the school teacher unmarked and, with Triebel having come for and missed the cross, he guided a volley into the net.

The palpable tension had been growing until that point and things became more relaxed.

So much more relaxed that Grant Wilson was able to unleash a 30-yard thunderbolt into the top corner to ensure that the league trophy would definitely be heading to Kerfield.

Triebel left his team to finish the game with ten men when he launched a bizarre foul mouthed tirade at the referee. Not content with being shown a red card for that, he then headbutted a Tweeddale player on his way off.

But it was all inconsequential to the league champions.

Tweeddale Rovers: Bertram, F Moffat (Cockburn), Rathie, Thomson, Macleod, McNaughton, R Meikle, Lindsay, B Meikle, Mackay (Warren), Wilson. Not used: Mullins, Rogers, Collin.