Falkirk RFC (18) vs Kelso RFC (27) - RBS Premier 2 - Stage 2

Pre-Match Report

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Match Report

Falkirk 18 Kelso 27 half time 6-15

For the third Saturday in a row, Kelso went on the road. For the third Saturday in a row, they won on the road. Their position in Premier 2 was already secure after their fine run of four successive wins but there was still an outside chance that Falkirk could stay up in the second league rather than drop down to Regional rugby. The game was played in perfect weather and pitch conditions. The usual keen and vocal Kelso support was in attendance because the game had a little extra significance as it was to be Kevin Utterson’s final game for Kelso after a long career atPoynderParkwhich was interrupted only whilst he played pro rugby and won his 3 Scottish caps in 2003. Kelso were without Stef Carnegie( off to OZ for the summer), David Lowrie( off to NZ for the summer) and the injured Mark Chester. 

The game was played at a fair pace with Kelso enjoying early possession but it took a excellent tackle by Murray Hastie to check aFalkirkattack. A breakout by Ewan Ford and Kieran Cooney led to an unsuccessful Kelso penalty attempt by Keiran Wilkinson. It wasFalkirkwho opened the scoring with a penalty by full back Jonny Hope after Kelso had been caught offside. Wilkinson immediately replied for Kelso.

Kelso were not enjoying a great deal of success at the base of the scrum and from a mistake,Falkirkwere almost over only for the ball to be dropped.

A reversal in scrumming fortunes, however, provided a great chance for the visitors after a heel against the head led to an attacking play by Kelso only for a high tackle to stop them. From the resulting line out on the 5 metre line, an initial catch and drive was controlled and then the ball spun out to Craig Renton to check the defence and scuttle in for a smart try. Wilkinson converted. Hope reduced the leeway for the home side with a penalty on the 22 for offside.

As half time approached, Kelso won a penalty forFalkirkbeing caught not binding in the scrum. The ball was pooped into the corner and again a catch and drive from the line out produced a try for the ever eager Chris Riddell. Wilkinson failed with the kick but by now the lead had been stretched to 15-6. 

An early penalty miss byFalkirkas quickly followed by a top class try by Richard Minto. A charged down kick put Falkirk under enormous pressure in their own 22 and from a scrum, Kelso moved the ball back and forwards until, from a ruck, scrum half Hastie whipped the ball out to the right for Minto to race through at pace. The conversion was missed. The home team had their passage of pressure but the Kelso defence held on. A break by Utterson, was stopped but Ewan Ford won the ball from the maul and fed Richard Minto who looked as if he was going over in the corner but he flipped the ball inside to his brother Gregg, who went over for the bonus point try. Wilkinson converted and Kelso were home and dry at 27-6. 

Falkirknever gave up and it was disappointing for the Kelso defence but no surprise to see them score a try after good support play allowed flanker Jeff Lepa in. Hope converted. The home side continued to exert pressure on a Kelso team which had by now lostRenton, Riddell and Andrew Wallace to injury. After Gregg Minto had been penalised for a no-arms tackle, a driven line out byFalkirkresulted in another penalty. At this point, the players became somewhat unfriendly towards each other, resulting in a skirmish. Once referee Andy Ireland and his assistant had discussed the matter, Kieran Cooney andFalkirklock, Keepa Mewett were red carded and Gregg Minto was sin binned. All of this resulted in uncontested scrums for the remaining few minutes and a fine try by Falkirk winger Niall Lear finished the game withFalkirkbeing slightly flattered by the closeness of the score at 27-18. 

Another good end of the season from Kelso with 6 wins out of the 7 games since the split in the league. If only Kelso were to realise the season starts in August/ September rather than mid season when they seem to start to play and win!        

Kelso team: Keiran Wilkinson, Lewis Mallin, Richard Minto, Kevin Utterson, Gregg Minto, Craig Renton,Murray Hastie.

Kieran Cooney, Chris Riddell, Ali Marsh, Andrew Wallace, Donald Seed, Ian Wallace,Ewan Ford, James Stevenson.

Replacements: Allan Frame, Ross Henderson, Bill Thomson, Andy Tait

Scoreres: Richard Minto 1 try; Chris Riddell 1try, Gregg Minto 1 tryKeiran Wilkinson 2 cons and 1 penalty: Craig Renton 1 try