Lee Jones crosses for his first try against Boroughmuir.
Picture: Grant Kinghorn

In Premier 2 Hawick won the battle of Bridgehaugh winning 26-24 although they were up 19-0 at one stage against Stirling County. They managed the bonus point too with four tries scored by John Coutts (2), Neil Renwick and Greg Anderson with Renwick kicking three conversions.

Action from Stirling County v Hawick on Saturday. Michael Robertson with
Gary Lowrie in support prepares to tackle the Stirling defence.
Picture courtesy Kenny Baillie, Hawick RFC website

Kelso beat GHA at home 13-8. Adam Morris went over for two tries with Kevin Utterson kicking a penalty, and Jedforest won the local derby against Gala by 23-18. Tries from Robert Hogg and Gregor Young, both converted by Ewan Scott, helped them to victory with Scott adding three penalties to his personal tally. For Gala Opeta Palepoi and Dean Keddie scored five-pointers with Keddie kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Peebles let slip a 15-5 lead at home to Aberdeen Grammar to go down 17-15, with Peebles' two tries coming from Trevor Keen and a penalty try. Stevie Gee took over kicking duties from Donald Anderson, who twisted his ankle and may be out for a few weeks. Gee scored a conversion and a penalty.

In National League 1 Langholm lost heavily to Livingston on the road 47-25 but scored three tries from Niall Cubbon, Gavin Campbell and Keith Davidson. Cubbon kicked two conversions and two penalties. Berwick also lost at Dalziel. After an injury to one of their props there were uncontested scrums after half an hour when the score was 0-0. Dalziel went on to win 29-0.

In NL2 Hawick YM beat Caithness 28-22 at Mansfield Haugh with three tries from Ryan Hogg, who wasn't able to travel to Stirling with the main Hawick side this afternoon, Ryan Trimby and Hamish Neish. Gregor Welsh scored three penalties and two conversions. Hawick Linden found NL3 a different standard totally to the East League which they won last season. Their first game saw them go down to a strong Allan Glen's team 53-8 scoring a try by Steven Bouglas with a penalty by Barry Sutherland.

Aug 28th
Selkirk may well switch their match against Edinburgh Accies on 14th November to the Friday night under the lights of Philiphaugh. The game may be broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and highlights of the game will be shown on Borders Rugby Television over the weekend. The match will avoid clashing with the Scotland v Fiji game at Murrayfield the next day, but Selkirk are yet to confirm this as they have to make some logistic decisions with regards whether they can move their already booked hospitality pre-match events.

Aug 28th
The new season begins tomorrow and history could be made at Philiphaugh if Selkirk start their Premier 1 campaign with a win against fancied Boroughmuir. If they don't lose it will mean they will go into their THIRD year unbeaten in league competition which is a phenomenal statistic. Selkirk's big guns are in the line-up with a very strong back division including Harkness, Jones, Craig, McVie and Cassidy but the new-look pack will be under pressure to provide them with quality ball to work with.

Melrose are at home to Glasgow Hawks and will certainly be out for a winning start. They will be blooding new guns Fraser Thomson at Full Back and Kiwi Ben Allen and they'll be delighted with the return to action of former skipper Jamie Murray. Old heads Scott Wight (captain), Scott McClintock and Callum Anderson will cause Hawks problems while in the pack Richard Higgins at the age of 35 continues to play on at top club level in the front row. He will be joined by Kieran Cooney who is back at The Greenyards after a year away. John Dalziel, Ross Miller and former Jed flanker Garry Elder will provide a formidable back row in a game they should win.

Left to right: Scott Wight (Melrose), Fraser Harkness (Selkirk) and Opeta Palepo (Gala) all in action this weekend on the first day of the season

In Premier 2 we have the first local derby of the season between Jedforest and Gala - two teams who have struggled pre-season - while Kelso and Peebles both have home matches against GHA and Aberdeen Grammar respectively. Hawick will have it tough in their first away game against Stirling County, both teams tasting division 2 rugby after being relegated last year. Hawick know they must win on the road - their downfall last season - and Bridgehaugh will be a fabulous place to start.

In National League 1 Langholm (at Livingston) and Berwick (away to Dalziel) will be targeting away wins to boost their confidence while Hawick YM host Caithness in NL2 and Hawick Linden go to Allan Glen's for their first match in NL3. You can hear all the news live on Radio Borders by clicking on our link on Saturday from 2-6pm.

Aug 27th
Former Hawick stand off Rory Hutton may well get a break against Newcastle Falcons on Friday night in a friendly game at Kingston Park. Both Phil Godman and David Blair are injured and he has been called in to the squad where he is likely to start at number 10. Rory is now signed to Heriot's along with Stuart and Graham Hogg (other former Hawick players) for this season.

Left to right: Rory Hutton, Laing Speirs and David Ferguson

This week's Friday Night Sports Show on Radio Borders will feature guest pundits David Ferguson from The Scotsman and local rugby historian and journalist Laing Speirs. It starts at 6pm and is clickable from our home page - and don't worry if you miss it, you can listen again later in the week.

Aug 26th
Melrose Rugby Club have announced a new sponsor for the season ahead in Edinburgh Audi. Iain Storrar, Edinburgh Audi's General Manager said: "This gives us an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an area which is very important to our business."

Mike Dalgetty, President, added: "We are delighted to attract Edinburgh Audi - it is a major boost to the club, particularly in the present economic climate. We look forward to working with them in the future.

Melrose players John Dalziel (left) and Scott Wight (right) with President Mike Dalgetty with Edinburgh Audi General Manager Iain Storrar.
Picture: Douglas Hardie, Bordernet

Aug 23rd
In dreadful wet conditions Selkirk joined Kelso and Gala as the only other team who have managed a hat-trick of wins in the history of the Selkirk Sevens tournament when they won their own competition for the third year running today at Philiphaugh. It was a day of surprises. Favourites Melrose, who won last week's Kelso tournament at a canter, were humbled by Jedforest 12-5 in the first round. It went some way to make up for being beaten by Melrose last week in the Final and a midweek defeat by them in a friendly 15-a-side clash.

Player of the Tournament Lee Jones and Selkirk skipper Gavin Craig
with Selkirk President Donald McLeod
Picture: Grant Kinghorn

Hawick also stumbled at the first hurdle when they were outclassed by a young Scottish Academy team 40-7. Watsonians, the current Kings of the Sevens holders, were taken out of the competition at the semi final stage by Jedforest who knocked them out last week too. In the other semi Selkirk had little problem dispatching the Academy to book their place in the final. Selkirk raced to an early 17-0 lead but Jed came back with two converted tries to close the gap to 17-14. But in the end Selkirk were too strong and won the game 24-19.

A delighted Selkirk Sevens celebrate a hat-trick at Philiphaugh.
Picture: Grant Kinghorn