KELSO 22 KIRKCALDY 10

Kelso had to wait until the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure their win but few would dispute that their win was deserved. The Blues had begun aggressively, bucking recent trends, and opening up a 10-0 lead with only eighteen minutes gone. They had dominated set pieces and break downs with the home team barely able to get a hand on the ball.

The game had begun in unfortunate circumstances with a big collision at the second ruck involving the home team's hooker Charlie Marshall and Kirkcaldy's Michael Harper. Both players lay in the ground for a time in some distress before Harper staggered to his feet while Marshall's game was over as he was assisted from the field.

The effect of Harper's knock seemed to wear off quickly as he spear headed a series of Kirkcaldy assaults on the home line The Blues had an intensity of purpose in the opening quarter which left the Borderers squirming in defence and a try could not be long delayed. From a maul from a 5 metre lineout Rhys Bonner drove over for a try converted by Finlay Smith. Kirkcaldy supremacy continued as Kelso were forced into a series of errors and penalties, one of which was kicked by Smith for a 10-0 Kirkcaldy lead in the eighteenth minute.

Things continued to go the Blues' way until the twenty seventh minute. An assistant referee spotted a midfield Kirkcaldy player drifting offside. This penalty went to touch before the Blues infringed again and Kelso stand-off Murray Hastie sent the kick between the uprights.

KIRKCALDY 36 SELKIRK 55

Not for the first time this season Kirkcaldy defensive frailty cost them dearly in the early stages of a National 1 game. With only twelve minutes played the Beveridge Park crowd had barely settled down as Selkirk scored three tries to a solitary counter for the Blues. Whenever the visitors had possession, a lot of it presented to them on a plate, they looked likely to score. The bonus point try came up five minutes later with the Borderers looking as if they could score at will.

Apart from a smartly taken solo Scott Anderson try born in a lineout tap down 30 metres out, Kirkcaldy were little more than spectators. Concentration levels, speed of thought and anticipation should have been much higher to cope with such a pacy team.

To their credit Kirkcaldy eventually came to terms with this quality side, gaining parity in the scrums and had a remarkable return in their losing cause of six tries. This was the third consecutive game in which Kirkcaldy had a torrid start with the opposition running in easy tries, just about taking them out of sight by half time. Only in the second half did the Blues really compete but even them they conceded counter attacking tries.

Director of Rugby Mark Henderson bemoaned yet another sluggish opening half hour but praised the second half recovery which earned a vital bonus point. “There was a flatness in the side from the kick-off and that gave them a racing start from which we never really recovered. Communication between players appears to be a problem just now and other opposition will take advantage as well as Musselburgh and Selkirk have done. Very much on the positive side, we buckled down in the second half and even with a second string front row we competed well. Apart from the defensive lapses there were a lot of positives to be taken, including the four try bonus point which could be vital at the end of the season. Michael Harper is improving every game at tighthead and he was also very active in the loose, carrying well. There was also a very pleasing debut for winger Timmy Kennedy, signed last week from Howe of Fife. He can be a real asset to our squad.”