Selkirk 13-32 Gala

After winning all their matches in last season’s National League, Selkirk’s run of victories came to a shuddering halt as the Premiership newcomers succumbed to Gala’s power and experience at Philphaugh in a match that came to life only in the second half.

Gala, for whom former Kelso lock Calum Rowlandson carried well, struggled to impose themselves on Selkirk in the first half despite enjoying a massive share of possession but in the second half the Maroons ran in three scores to end with a satisfying bonus point.

Gala led 8-3 at the break from a try by winger Craig Robertson and a penalty by David O’Hagan to a penalty by Cameron Gregory-Ring for Selkirk. An unconverted try by winger Graham Spiers extended Gala’s lead only for Selkirk to show their attacking skills with a touchdown fro winger Salvo Lloret.

But tries by Rowlandson, Alan Emond and George Graham and two conversions by O’Hagan sealed the game for Gala despite a late score for Selkirk by flanker Angus Duckett.