Jed-Forest kick off new rugby season with win for first time in almost nine years

Head coach Michael Harshaw’s Jed edged out Musselburgh 37-35 at home but opposite number Derek O’Riordan’s Selkirk lost out to Boroughmuir 27-17 on the road in the capital and Ewen Robbie’s Gala went down 47-27 on the road against Glasgow Academicals.

Those results leave Jed as one of a handful of teams to pick up five points, Gala as one of two to collect a consolation bonus point and Selkirk as one of two left empty-handed.

The Riverside Park outfit’s victory was their first on a season’s opening day for almost nine years, their last, by 27-20 hosting Kelso, having been back in September 2017.

Selkirk host the division’s first derby of the new season this coming Saturday, versus Jed, and Gala are at home to Glasgow High Kelvinside, both 3pm kick-offs.

The Souters and their Jedburgh rivals’ most recent meeting yielded a 31-21 away Border League victory for the former in August 2024 and Gala last played GHK in November 2023, winning 56-12 at home at Netherdale.

Jed’s try-scorers as they fought back from falling 21-6 behind by half-time were tighthead prop Paulo Ferreira, Aaron Weatherhead, right-winger Christian Beaton, left-winger Callum Auchinleck and blindside flanker Jamie Hynd, with fly-half and captain Weatherhead kicking three conversions and two penalties. Both wingers were making their senior debuts.

Blindside flanker Ross Nixon, full-back Josh Welsh and captain and lock Andrew McColm scored Selkirk’s tries at Edinburgh’s Meggetland Sports Complex, with scrum-half Oliver McClymont adding a conversion.

Gala’s tries at New Anniesland, one of them converted by fly-half Callum Corry, were touched down by left-winger Ben Gill at the double, captain and No 8 Robbie Irvine, hooker Connor McKay and loosehead prop Gav Fisher.

A division down, Peebles edged out Howe of Fife 13-12 on the road at Cupar’s Duffus Park on Saturday.

Touching down for head coach Graeme Paterson’s visitors were outside-centre James Dow and full-back Tom Weir, with fly-half Liam Irvine kicking the match-winning penalty.

That opening-day win earns the Pees four points, leaving them fifth in their table ahead of a visit from Stewart’s Melville this coming Saturday, with kick-off at the Gytes at 3pm.

Last season’s corresponding game against the Edinburgh outfit saw the Borderers beaten 26-17 at the end of March but they won November 2025’s reverse fixture 25-22.