Selkirk Youth Club 6
Boroughmuir 5
RBS UNDER-18s YOUTH CUP SEMI-FINAL
ALAN LORIMER reports from Victoria Park
SELKIRK Youth Club return to Murrayfield on Sunday (4pm) to contest the RBS Under-18 Youth Cup final against title holders Stirling County, in a repeat of last season’s showcase game at the international ground, after securing their place with victory over Boroughmuir at Victoria Park .
Youth club’s hero was their Scotland under-18 cap Josh Welsh, who came out of the sin-bin in time to kick a last-minute penalty to win the game, adding to his first-half success that had given the Selkirk side an interval lead.
But it was the determined defence, the ability of the forwards to drive at their opponents, the steadiness of the set scrum and accuracy in the line-out that all contributed to an impressive win against a Boroughmuir side that included two under-18 international players.
“As we’ve done all season, we punched above our weight” said Selkirk YC coach Guy Blair. “The boys showed a great attitude. It’s great for a place like Selkirk and we’re really looking forward to playing Stirling at Murrayfield.”
The final on Sunday will be a tough match for the young Souters against the defending champions, Stirling County, whose repeated successes have not a little to do with the Bridgehaugh outfit becoming a ‘super’ club , drawing from a huge catchment area that includes two independent schools.
Selkirk are likely to be without their leading points scorer, Kieran Monks, who strained his hamstring after only a minute of play in the semi-final.
Replacement Jack Elliot, who is eligible to play at under-16 level, however, performed well off the bench.
Selkirk Youth Club: K. Monks; T. Duncan, L. MacLennan, J. Welsh, S. Hendry; C. McEwan, T. Penman; C. Turnbull, R. Purves, F. McKerracher, J. Lunt, A. Nichol, J. Haughley, S. McClymont, C. Grieve. Subs: S. McKinnon, B. Riddell, C. Mordue, J. Houston, J. Elliot, K. Stillie, F. Watt.
z Elsewhere, Peebles Colts beat Greenock Wanderers 33-0 and Perthshire beat Deeside 24-12, booking their places in the under-18 RBS National Youth Bowl final, also at Murrayfield on Sunday (1pm).