FORCE 56 SELKIRK A 14
This was a game so exciting it would wake the dead, and indeed our own President Lazarus Landles came from his sick bed in anticipation. The walking wounded were,indeed, not to be disappointed as a strong Force side ran, tackled and passed like men possessed from first whistle to last.
From the very first kick off the hosts played with an air of confidence rarely seen outside of Finn Russel’s living room, and within 2 minutes Tom Huggan had spread himself across the try line like a knife-full of his near namesake Rory Hutton’s famous meat paste.
It was in the forwards that the platform for this victory was laid, with Liam ‘shamrock’ Graham and Rab C Linton shoving the Souter scrum almost back over Groundistone Heights.
Quickly asserting the Force team threw the ball wide at every opportunity with both Bailey Donaldson and Sam Frizzel (twice) scoring well crafted tries.
Mention must be made of Captain Frizzel’s leadership qualities, though barely 20 years of age he has the authority of Captain Mainwaring keeping his head whilst all around lose theirs. He was at the heart of every move today and led the line forcefully.
The backs stole the glory, as they often do, but this time with slick handling and wide running that saw wingers Fin Douglas and Sean McMichan score 6 well deserved tries between them. These lads are bound to be knocking on the first team selectors’ doors soon.
It was a joy to see both Arran Redpath and Elliot Stanger return from the bench and both played with great heart as they broke tackles with direct runs that opened up gaps for Justin Tait and Cian Riddell to exploit. Riddell had to be subbed, with a bad dose of the ‘nightbefores’ but not before this Rave king had made Selkirk dance to his tune.
Murray Renwick worked purposefully throughout covering more ground than a 3 mile chaser, and Glen Welsh found a new lease of life in the back row like a real ginger version of Martyn Williams.
A brief mention to 43 year old Keith Davies, who came on for the last 15 minutes, without skull cap or mouth guard to protect those boyish good looks he showed again why he is regarded by many as the maverick Tom Cruise of the farming industry, and by some as the old man of Hoy(ick).
With ten tries it is hard to select a man of the match and well though Charlie Welsh played he was touched off by Harris Brogan. His dad may be a turf layer but it seemed, at times, as though Harris wanted to cover and plough every blade of turf on Mansfield Park today the Andy Murray of Hawick was today the Shawn Muir of the Force, constant, unflinching and unselfish.
Coaches Landels and Griebenow were happy with the whole squad, leaving Landles to declare ‘that was better than a double fish supper’.
RB
