Trying moments for treble victors

THE Borders treble was assured when Jed-Forest took the Shield in glorious sunshine with a try count of 4-2.

Not only did their local band play them through their most trying moments - and there were several - but referee Malcolm McEwan was unsighted late in the game when the young Gordonians scrum-half Todd Paterson scored under the posts.

The Aberdeen side from the Premiership third division had proved a handful after a blistering start from the Borderers who led by 14 points inside 10 minutes. First, Graeme Renwick ghosted through from Clark Laidlaw's long pass before Kevin Liddle drove over from a short-range scrum, Gary Hill converting both. Many sides might have disintegrated thereafter but not Gordonians who were soon picking up points, courtesy of place kicker Kenny Fraser who was to kick six out of six in his attempts at goal. Gordonians' two tries in the closing minutes of the first half were by Mark Thomson, plunging over after a prolonged forward assault and then a superb surge from full-back Gordon Gibb, putting his side 20-17 ahead at the break. Jed-Forest began the second half recognising that a gear had to be stepped up and in this respect back row forwards Calum J Brown and Kevin Liddle were immense. Graeme Renwick began with a super incision try converted by Gary Hill, whose strength was to later set up a great Borders score from Michael Elder, putting Jed clear at 32-23. The final drop-goal from Clark Laidlaw put the icing on their Velvet Shield.

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