Kelso RFC (25) vs Biggar RFC (15) - RBS Premier 2 - Stage 2

Pre-Match Report

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Match Report

Kelso 25 Biggar 15 half time 15-3

Kelso, who were short of David Lowrie, Ewan Ford and Frankie Robson, knew that only a win was good enough for them as this was the last home game of the season. They set off with the wind at their backs and had the first score on the board in just over a minute when Kieran Wilkinson slotted a longish penalty from in front of the posts.

Again, it looked as if Kelso were going to do well in the scrums after shunting the Biggar pack back at the first set piece but a later strike against the head allowed Biggar to spin the ball left but Alan Haig saved the day for Kelso with a sound tackle. Thereafter, Biggar felt the wrath of referee, Mhairi Hay, with a few free kicks being awarded for early engagement. It is always a debatable one as to who blinked first in these situations!

The Mintos again looked full of running and they had an early chance to make ground but a handling error spoiled the move. It did not take long, however, for Richard Minto to go over for the first Kelso try. Dazzling feet took him through a succession of tackles to score near the posts. Wilkinson converted. Kelso continued to control the game and after good play by backs and forwards they worked a position for Mark Chester to go for a drop goal. Not one of his better efforts, I am afraid!

Wilkinson missed a penalty and there followed a period of pressure from Biggar. Good Kelso defence kept them out but, after Kelso were caught at the base of the scrum, Biggar kicked a penalty through full back Amo Wilbore to close the gap to 7 points.

Just on half time, Kelso increased the lead after a turn over on the right hand side of the field: backs and forwards combined to put Gregg Minto over in the corner, too far out for the conversion but nevertheless to a 15-3 interval lead.

A nasty fall for Ian Wallace after interference at the line out may well have produced a yellow card in some games but the referee thought it only worth a penalty. It did allow Kelso to keep the pressure on Biggar and they were rewarded after a powerful scrum made Biggar release their binding. Wilkinson was again successful.

Kelso seemed to lose a little focus and Biggar came into the game. A succession of penalties left Kelso vulnerable and Alan Haig was eventually yellow carded for persistent infringement by the team. Whilst Kelso were shorthanded, Biggar scored in the corner through Craig Parker as Kelso just run out of defenders. The conversion was missed.

By this time Kelso had emptied their bench as firstly Gareth Riddell then Ian Wallace and Andy Tait picked up injuries. The momentum was with them, however, and after a break by the retiring Kevin Utterson, Stuart Lowrie was driven over to allow the straight forward conversion for Wilkinson to take Kelso out to 28-8.

There was enough time left for Biggar to score a soft try by winger, Jade Gardiner with Wilbore converting.

A comfortable win for Kelso by 25-15, lifted their hopes of Premier 2 rugby next season as they moved into equal top place in the Group C table with Selkirk.

The game saw the end of the line for Kevin Utterson as this was his last home game for Kelso. He has been a popular and great servant to the club!

Kelso team: Kieran Wilkinson, Alan Haig, Richard Minto, Kevin Utterson , Gregg Minto, Mark Chester, Andy Tait, Keiran Cooney, Chris Riddell, Ali Marsh, Donald Seed, Stefan Carnegie, Ian Wallace, Gareth Riddell, James Stevenson.

Replacements: Stuart Lowrie, Andrew Wallace, Lewis Mallin, Murray hastie