Selkirk Youth Rugby Club

Last kick win for Youth Club
The Youth Club made the short journey to Gala to play Gala Wanderers in the top of the league clash and eventually won by 26 points to 25 in an enthralling game.
The game was played on the main pitch at Netherdale in front of a large crowd and the ensuing game did not disappoint.
Both teams started nervously with both sets of players taking some time to settle. A good early kick and chase from Youth Club full back Kieran Monks pushed Gala back into their 22. Gala were trying to play the ball through their backs but after some good spoiling tactics by the Youth Club a penalty was awarded and skipper Josh Welsh struck the ball between the posts to make it 3 points to Nil. The teams were both trying to run the ball at every opportunity and played moved all over the pitch. Gala were having the better of the lineout’s and after 9 minutes whilst having good possession, gala were awarded a penalty and centre Gregor Mein knocked over the make the game all square at 3 points each. The well drilled Gala forwards were causing the Youth Club pack some problems but the Youth Club managed to match them and play was evenly matched. The Youth Club stand off Callum McEwan was proving to be a handful and was alert in taking a penalty midway through the half and passed to Kieran Monks to touch down in the corner to make it 8 points to 3. Gala came storming back and on 20 minutes Mein scored from a penalty to make it 8 points to 6. Gala were piling on the pressure and were edging towards the Youth Club try line with their forwards powering forward but met some determined, sometimes frantic Youth Club defending. Welsh used his strength to get possession back to the Youth Club and from an incisive break by McEwan working his way well into the Gala half. The Youth Club recycled the ball and hooker Ross Purves touching down in the Gala corner to make the score 13 points to 6 after 32minutes and this was the score at half time.
Gala started the second half well and the Wanderers pack took control right from the kick off and worked their way towards the Youth Club try line. After a number of phases of play and penalties conceded by the Youth Club Gala scored near the corner and Mein converted to make the game all square at 13 points all. Gala were having a good dominating spell and causing the Youth Club a lot of problems. The Youth Club weathered the storm and after 13 minutes of the second half were awarded a penalty from which Welsh scored the put the Youth Club back into the lead 16 points to 13. This lead only lasted for a few minutes as the Gala forwards drove their way into the Youth Club 22 and from a quickly taken penalty one of their forwards squeezed their way over the Youth Club try line to give Gala the lead by 18 points to 16. The Youth Club lost their scrum half Thomas Penman with an ankle injury and winger Kyle stepped in with Bryer Mennie being brought on to play on the wing. Play restarted and remained highly entertaining with both teams trying to gain the upper hand. After 21 minutes of the second half the Youth Club won their scrum just outside the Gala 22 and McEwan somehow danced his way passed a number of Gala players to score and Welsh converted to make the score 23 points to 18. With 10 minutes remaining the Youth Club had their influential hooker sent to the sin bin reducing them to 14 players. Centre Lewis MacLennan then left the field of play injured being replaced by Stuart Hendry. Gala began to dominate the game and after winning a few scrums they worked their way close to the Youth Club try line and eventually burst over to score with Mein sweetly striking the conversion over for Gala to take the lead by 25 points to 23. There was very little time left and Welsh kicked off only for one of the Gala forwards to knock on. The Youth Club won the scrum and put Gala under pressure and were awarded a penalty about 30 metres from the posts, Welsh held his nerve and knocked the ball between the sticks. The referee then blew his whistle for full time much to the delight of the Youth Club players, coaches, committee and supporters. Gala on the other hand were devastated at having lost by 26 points to 25.
This Saturday the Youth Club will play Kelso Quins at home kick off 2pm.