borders47

border league XV 5

BORDERS got their season off to a flying start as they buried their local shadow players at Mansfield Park last night.

Their Test winger Cammy Murray led the charge with a hat trick of tries, only to be at the centre of an injury scare as he was helped off near the end. His departure was clearly a worry for Borders coach Tony Gilbert, who was without him for most of last term.

Three of the pro team squad switched sides to enable Gilbert to watch as many of his men in action as possible. They were the locks, Colin Stewart and Ally Davidson, along with the full back Scott Paterson.

Borders' ex-captain, Gary Armstrong, was also billed to be in the line-up, but was forced to pull out because of a hip knock sustained in training. The Select also featured a string of players who will be on stand-by for the big-stage outfit during the busier periods of the forthcoming season.

The pros effectively snuffed out the part-timers in the first 10 minutes during which they rattled in 21 points without reply. Their superior fitness shone through as they created three fine tries, all converted by the prop Paul Thomson.

The spree began when stand-off Clark Laidlaw cruised in, then centre Stephen Cranson burst through the hesitant Select defence. Gareth Morton completed the triple-whammy. The amateurs steadied the ship and broke their duck with a well-worked score from Jed-Forest wing Simon Lightbody.

The professionals replied in positive fashion with Lightbody's opposite number,

Murray, claiming their fourth touchdown, also goaled by Thomson. Both teams made wholesale changes at the break, but the one-way traffic continued.

Murray slid in for his second, then quickly completed his treble. Thomson also ploughed over to add a try to his kicks, with substitute Calum MacRae taking over the boot duties to land two conversions.

Borders G Morton, N Walker, S Cranston,

J Stuart, C Murray, C Laidlaw, I Fairley,

G Graham, S Scott, P Thomson, D Weir,

S McLeod, A Rennick (capt), D Kane,

C Feather.

Subs used: R Ford, G Cross, T Walker, C Cusiter, C MacRae, A Turnbull

Border Lge Select S Paterson (Gala),

S Lightbody (Jed-Forest), C Twigley (Peebles), D Gray (Gala), P Boston (Tynedale), A McLean (Gala), D Moore (Peebles), A Johnston (Gala), M Landels (Hawick), G Holbourn (Berwick), R Higgins (Melrose), A Davidson (Borders), C Stewart (Selkirk), J Dalziel (Gala), R Deans (Hawick), T Weir (Gala, capt)

Subs used: A Gillie (Hawick), J Murray (Tynedale), J Bradburn (Melrose), J White (Peebles), D Irving (Hawick), G Hill (Jed-Forest), G Scott (Hawick), D Jackson (Selkirk), I Bertinussen (Gala), S Purves (Peebles)

Scorers. Borders. Tries Laidlaw, Cranston, Morton, Murray 3, Thomson Cons Thomson 4, MacRae 2 Select. Try Lightbody

Referee D Changleng (Gala)

lA new partner has been unveiled for the revamped Celtic League and new Celtic Cup. Kukri, a UK-based sports kit manufacturer, have signed a two-year deal securing licensing rights for Celtic Rugby-branded leisure wear.

lMunster have signed the former Bath hooker, Andy Long, on a short-term training contract. Long, 25, has has been brought in as cover while first-choice hooker Frankie Sheahan appeals against his doping ban. If Sheahan's September 1 appeal is successful it is likely he would then be included in Ireland's World Cup squad and Long would figure in the plans of the Munster coach, Alan Gaffney, until at least the end of November.