Selkirk 41

Peebles 10

Tom Ramage

at Philiphaugh

SELKIRK raced to the top of Pool A in this season's Booker Border League with an impressive win over Peebles.

The Pees, having beaten Gala the previous weekend in their opening match, arrived at Philiphaugh with confidence.

But it was the home team who broke the deadlock after 10 minutes with Josh Welsh arriving in the line to race through a gap.

Aaron McColm made it 7-0 with the conversion.

Throughout last season Selkirk's backs grabbed most of the headlines for their fluent and eye-catching scores.

But the forwards shouldn't be forgotten - and it was a pack-led drive which led to Luke Pettie scoring the second try of the afternoon.

Peebles tackled well but they had no answer for the quick hands and pace of the home team.

Just before the half hour Darren Clapperton completed another fine move to make it 17-0.

Peebles clawed their way back into the tie with an Anderson penalty.

And just before the interval Scott Stoddart went over from a five-metre line-out with Anderson taking their tally up to 10 points.

At 17-10 it was very much game on once again, but Selkirk, if anything, stepped up a gear following the interval.

Fraser Anderson rounded off some good play to sprint over the line.

And Clapperton, one from deep in his own half, raced over for a further two tries to complete his hat-trick.

Scott McClymont rounded off an encouraging start to the season with his team's eighth try - Scott Clarke also adding two conversions.