Kelso Harlequins

A game that takes Kelso Harlequins through, hopefully to the final of the Development Cup. This game was played in extremely bad conditions and with 25 minutes on the clock neither team seemed to be getting the upper hand and both teams seemed to be struggling with the conditions. With 26 minutes gone Grant Sheils broke over the line to score the first try which was swiftly followed by a try from Alistair Riley and a Penalty from Keiran Wilkinson which made the half time score 13 - 0. Kelso Harlequins started the second half as they had finished the first and with only 7 minutes gone they had extended their lead to 25 - 0, with a try apiece from Keiran Wilkinson and Neil Hinnigan, with 1 conversion from Greg Ponton. Most of the second have seemed to be hard work for both teams as the conditions deteriorated but Kelso Harlequins always seemed to come off best on the 50/50 ball and with 19 minutes gone Stefan Carnegie went over for a try which was not converted making the score 30 - 0. Another 11 minutes passed before Kelso again could turn their dominance into points with a well worked try by Dom Buckley making the final score 35 - 0. Another good performance from Kelso Harlequins which will see them through to the next stages of the Development Cup.

Kelso Harlequins were ready for a tough game against Hawick PSA as this was going to be the biggest game in the Development Cup so far for both teams. Kelso started the strongest with some hard running by both forwards and backs. Kelso seemed to be up for the challenge more than Hawick PSA and after only 7 minutes Michael Tait went over on the left wing, making the score 7 - 0 with Keiran Wilkinson converting well from far out. Kelso seemed to have all the possession and with some more good interplay and a fine delayed pass by Greg Davidson made the gap for Michael Tait to go over for his second of the day, although this was not converted. Another 4 minutes of dominant play followed from the home team which saw Graeme Kellington (Captain) going in for his 10th try of the season, and was converted by Keiran Wilkinson. Kelso did not seem to want Hawick in on the party and kept their full dominance of the game which then saw Graeme Kellington pick up the ball on the PSA 22 and proceed to run around all of his own team and the whole of the PSA side to score in the right corner which was very well converted by Keiran Wilkinson. A final penalty from Keiran Wilkinson made the half time score 29 - 0. The second half started as the first had finished with a charge down try from Graeme Kellington giving him his hat trick, although Keiran Wilkinson was unable to put the conversion over. The game seemed at this point to loose its momentum for the Kelso side and with some good play by the Hawick PSA team the game became more even although at no time did PSA look like they were going to cross the Harlequins line. To PSA's credit they had an opportunity for a penalty kick and they elected to kick to touch. This game was a good advertisement for the game of rugby although it was marred by some heckling and bad language from the Hawick PSA side of the field, some standards seem to have dropped in the etiquette of the game of rugby. Neither team for the last 25 minutes of the game was able to produce any more scores so the final score was 34 - 0 to Kelso Harlequins, an excellent performance with the Kelso Harlequins wearing their new team strip kindly donated by Cooks Van Hire.

This friendly match promised to be a tough test for a Kelso Harlequins team that had 5 or 6 changes to the previous game, although it was not to be as the Harlequins took control with only about 45 seconds on the clock with a try from Louise Wichary. Kelso made all the running from this point on and they proved to be too strong for the Alnwick team in most facets of the game. With 14 minutes gone Keiran Wilkinson went over the line for his first try of the season although he was unable to convert, this was followed by some strong interplay by the Kelso forwards and backs culminating in a try for Andrew Hogarth, which Keiran Wilkinson converted to make the half time score 17 - 0. The second half was much the same with Captain Graeme Kellington going over for a running backs try with only 4 minutes gone of the second half and Greg Ponton slotted a penalty not long after making the score 25 - 0 to the home side, although on the run of play the score should have been much more. A lapse in concentration saw Alnwick go over the line for a try by Simon Katlin which was converted by their stand off Steven Allen. This did not interrupt the Kelso game and with 5 minutes remaining Michael Tait went over the line for another team try, making the final score 30 - 7.

The first game of the Development Cup saw Kelso Harlequins show what they can do on the Rugby Pitch. With only 7 minutes gone in this away game at Tynedale Kelso were 15 - 0 up with a penalty from Keiran Wilkinson a try apiece from Lewis Wichary and Alistair Riley with one being converted by Keiran Wilkinson. Kelso kept on the pressure and with some strong forwards play and some excellent running from the Kelso backs John Farris almost scraped in at the corner for another try although the referee judged that his foot was out of play. Kelso moved the pace up a few notches and with 20 minutes gone Kelso's Captain Graeme Kellington crossed under the posts for another try which was easily converted by the Kelso Fly Half Keiran Wilkinson. Tynedale were able to get themselves onto the score sheet with a penalty before Tony Wichary drove over for another try making the half time score 27 - 3. The Kelso spectators were hoping for more of the same in the second half but it wasn't to be although the Kelso team kept control until Tynedale were able to collect a try which was converted with 25 minutes of the second half gone. A quick reply was required from the Kelso team which came from some good angled running from Michael Tait who ran in close to the posts, although Keiran Wilkinson missed the conversion. The Tynedale team were stubborn though and replied almost immediately with a converted try making the score 32 - 17 with only a few minutes remaining, then with the final play of the game Craig Flannigan made a break down his wing evading 3 or 4 tackles he was able to get an excellent debut try in the corner, which was not converted. In summary this was an excellent performance by a Kelso Harlequins team away from home at Tynedale and has set them up for a good Development Cup this season.

Kelso Harlequins began this game the stronger of the 2 teams, although it soon proved that they were 2 teams that were very well matched. The Peebles side had a very big set of forwards and their backs seemed to have the edge on pace. With that in mind Kelso proved that they were up to the job by getting a very good try just left of the uprights from Alistair Riley which was converted by Keiran Wilkinson. Peebles were able to pull back a try from their centre also about 5 minutes later which was not converted by the Peebles kicker. Peebles got another well worked try from some good interplay between forwards and backs. The Peebles handling and pace on the ball was extremely good but most of the time it was the final pass that seemed to go astray. With the sound of the half time whistle Peebles were able to turn around with a 7 - 12 lead over the Kelso Harlequins. The second half was more of the same a lot of good work by both teams, and some end to end rugby although neither team were able to convert any of their pressure into points. With only about 6 or 7 minutes left on the clock the Kelso Harlequins team stepped up the pace and threw everything they had at the defence of the Peebles side, but Peebles were able to hold out and keep Kelso away from the try line. The final whistle came with no score in the second half making the final score 7 - 12 to the visitors.

Kelso Harlequins started this game looking like they were ready to take on Hawick, and with only a few minutes gone it was proving to be the case. Kelso Harlequins scored from a Drop Goal by Keiran Wilkinson with 12 minutes on the clock, this was after some excellent backs play and a lot of pressure on the Hawick try line. Hawick were able to get an unconverted try just 4 minutes later, following some enterprising play by the visitors. Some more good forwards power play and some silky running by the Harlequins culminated in Alistair Riley going over for a try which was converted by Keiran Wilkinson to make the score 10 - 5. Hawick Wanderers were able to claw back a penalty with 28 minutes gone which finished the first half with Kelso Harlequins in the lead at 10 - 8. The second half started with the Wands looking more confident and they started to pile on the pressure although all they could manage was a penalty after 13 minutes of pressure, which gave them the lead for the second time, although it was short lived as Kelso got a penalty through the boot of their Stand Off Keiran Wilkinson making the score 13 - 11. In the last quarter of the match Kelso started to look much hungrier and were rewarded with a try from Tony Wichary after 28 minutes, which was converted by Keiran Wilkinson and with only 5 minutes remaining of time Kelso through Alistair Riley scored an excellent try to put the home team well out of reach and a final score of 25 - 11. A thoroughly enjoyable game with a lot of hard work by the Kelso Harlequins who deserve this win. Maybe Selkirk Youth Club should have insisted on this game being played instead of playing a play off against Hawick.

Kelso Harlequins started this game with great confidence and dominated the first quarter of the game. Some good running from the backs most notably Greg Ponton and Alistair Riley on his return after shoulder surgery. With only 3 or 4 minutes gone a good break from Greg Ponton from Full Back ended with Alistair Riley only just missing a try. It took 12 minutes before Kelso Harlequins could get over the Tynedale line for a score, with some good forward play and more good backs running play Alistair Riley ran in for a well taken wingers try. The second quarter was a little more even with most of the play being in mid field making the half time score 7 - 0 to the Tweedsiders. The second half again started well with Kelso Harlequins pressurising the Tynedale line although all that the home team could manage after 6 minutes of pressure was a penalty kick from Keiran Wilkinson. The game came to life again at the finish of the third quarter with a break from their own half culminating in Greg Ponton going over in the corner for a try making the score 15 - 0 with Keiran missing the conversion from wide out. During the final 10 minutes Tynedale applied some pressure and were awarded numerous penalties which gave them good playing position in the Kelso Harlequins 22. Another quick penalty take by the Tynedale Scrum Half saw a good pass to their Stand Off who crashed over under the posts for a consolation try which was converted making the final score 15 - 7.

Kelso Harlequins traveled to Melrose to take on the Melrose Wasps who were 3 points behind them in the Locharron Semi Junior League. Kelso Harlequins started the game with a quick opportunist try by Tony Wichary after just 5 minutes. This quick try seemed to lull Kelso into a false sense of security as for the remainder of the first half Kelso were in their half mostly working in defence. Just before the half time whistle Graeme Kellington broke from their own half and kicked ahead with 4 Kelso Players chasing the ball, Michael Tait was the player to make the touch down under the posts, which was converted by Keiran Wilkinson. The second half was much the same as the first, with Kelso defending well in their own half and only able to get into the Melrose half a few times. Melrose were able to claw back a try from a drive over from a ruck close to the Kelso try line, although there was a small dispute to whether the ball was actually over the line or not. The referee was close to the action though and was able to award the try which was converted making the score 7 - 12 to Kelso Harlequins. The game carried on as before until the final whistle giving Kelso a hard worked victory away from home.

With 5 players from Kelso's first choice team unavailable for various reasons a young team traveled to Selkirk to take on a very strong Selkirk YC team. It showed very early with only 6 minutes gone as Selkirk went over the line for a well work running try which was converted making the score 7 - 0. Selkirk were able to put a lot of pressure on the Kelso Harlequins which resulted in 3 penalties and a converted try, before Kelso were able to reply with a penalty from Greg Ponton on the half time whistle making the half time score 23 - 3.

The second half was a much closer match with Selkirk scoring another try on 10 minutes and Kelso able to get a consolation try from Dom Buckley making the final score 28 - 3. This was a good performance by the young Kelso side against a very strong a well drilled Selkirk Youth Club who should be congratulated for their strong running rugby.

Kelso Harlequins started this game determined to set the record straight as they were well beaten by Peebles Colts (0 - 50) in the previous meeting and again the Kelso Harlequins Captain Graeme Kellington lead from the front with the first try of the game which was converted by Greg Ponton making the score a good 7 - 0 to the home team. Another try followed from Nick Wichary who again had another fine day at Number 8. A try on the wing from Dom Buckley made the half time score 19 - 0 with the conversion from Greg Ponton. Kelso Harlequins seemed to take their foot of the peddle after half time although Greg Davidson was able to drive over for another try before Peebles could get onto the score sheet making the score 26 - 7. Some good play from Kelso saw their Captain go over the line again for a well worked try, which was followed up by a try from Peebles Colts. A final try from Tony Wichary gave the Kelso Harlequins another convincing home win of 36 - 12. This game again has shown that Kelso Harlequins do have the ability to compete against the stronger teams in the Locharron Semi Junior League although the players will have to play as a team for more of the game as they have a habit of easing off when they should be consolidating and racking up better scores.

Kelso Harlequins 29 - Berwick Colts 0

Kelso Harlequins started well with a score from Nick Wichary after only 3 minutes, which was converted from far out by Greg Ponton making the score 7 - 0 to the Harlequins. Kelso Harlequins worked hard and looked good for the whole of the first half with some good running backs play and some strong mauling and rucking by the forwards. With 13 minutes gone the Captain Graeme Kellington went over for a good running try which was again converted but this time by Keiran Wilkinson. There was a little turmoil in the Harlequins team, however after a few words from Donald Seed the team again settled down to the job in hand and were rewarded with a penalty which was taken by Keiran Wilkinson making the score 17 - 0. Kelso Harlequins finished the first half with a well worked backs try and some individual skill from Graeme Kellington giving him his second try of the match, again converted by Greg Ponton. The second half started much the same although Kelso Harlequins could only manage a solitary try from Greg Ponton. Berwick Colts for most of the game were able opponents and worked hard although with their young team and some inexperience they were unable to live up to the expectation from their last game against Kelso Harlequins. The Harlequins team are now starting to look like a much better team and a few more performances of this sort should see their confidence grow. Next weeks game is again at home to Peebles Colts which should prove to be a bigger challenge.

What a game of Rugby the Kelso Harlequins produced for this return match against Hawick PSA. The last 3 weeks have been good weeks for the Kelso Harlequins but this game has shown positively what the Kelso Harlequins can achieve. With Kelso going 7 points ahead with only 4 minutes on the clock, the Kelso team really looked the part with Graeme Kellington (Captain) leading from the front with the first try (Converted by Keiran Wilkinson). PSA returned with a try of their own with only 10 minutes gone through K Davies, although from then on for the remainder of the half it was Kelso Harlequins who made all the running with another 15 points before half time, making the half time score 5 - 22 (Tries Nick Wichary & Graeme Kellington, Penalty Greg Ponton and a Conversion by Keiran Wilkinson). The second half was more of the same domination from the Kelso Harlequins although they were unable to make the domination turn to points. Hawick PSA persisted and were able to bring the score back to 22 - 22 with only a few minutes remaining. The referee however with only 2 minutes remaining awarded a penalty just to the left of the uprights for off side although it was a marginal call. Hawick PSA were able to convert this penalty making the final score 25 - 22. Both teams should be congratulated on a superb performance which gave the spectators a game to remember.

It was a long time coming but Kelso Harlequins left Jedburgh with a win. This was a solid performance from the Kelso players. All were motivated and wanting to win this game, which showed from the outset. The scoring was opened by the boot of Keiran Wilkinson with a penalty after about 10 minutes. With more pressure Kelso Harlequins through Dom Buckley were able to score a well work try in the corner, with the conversion being missed, made the score 0 - 8. Towards the end of the first half Kelso were rewarded for their continued pressure of the Jed Thistle line with a good running try under the posts from their Captain Graeme Kellington, which was converted by Keiran Wilkinson, making the half time score 0 - 15.

The second half was a more even game with Jed Thistle trying to take the game to Kelso, however the Kelso Defense was tight and kept them out for the rest of the game. Kelso had numerous chances of tries but with the bad weather and some bad decision making Kelso Harlequins could only manage a Drop Goal from the boot of Greg Ponton. All the Kelso Harlequins should be proud of their performance and should take the same attitude into their next game.

Kelso Harlequins started this game looking as if they wanted to play some good rugby and get some points on the scoreboard, which they did. There was a lot of enterprising play during the first half by both teams. Kelso Harlequins started the scoring through the boot of Greg Ponton with a penalty just off to the right side of the post about 25 meters out 10 minutes into the game, however only 3 minutes later PSA went over for a try with the conversion being missed making the score 3 - 5. Another 10 minutes or so of good rugby going from one end of the field to the other culminated in PSA making another touch down, with the conversion going over making the score 3 - 12 to the visitors. Some strong rugby followed from the Harlequins and they were rewarded for their hard work by a good try on the wing from Lewis Wichary, Keiran Wilkinson converted from just in from the touchline making the half time score 10 - 12 to PSA.

The second half did not live up to the Kelso spectators expectations as PSA piled on the pressure and with some half hearted tackling from the Kelso players Hawick PSA went over for 5 unanswered tries making the final score 10 - 45.

In summary the Harlequins have shown for 50 minutes they are able to play as good as any team however more teamwork and drive will show that they are capable of better things. Kelso have the daunting task of taking on Gala Wanderers which will be a test of the Harlequins character and team spirit.

Just a quick note and a hello to Louise Kellington who I have been told looks at Kelso Online ever week to see how the Quins got on.

Another defeat for the Harlequins at Peebles Colts. This performance was at times a better by the Harlequins young players however the lack of commitment and direction from the more experienced players made this a one sided game. Again with so many players sidelined due to injury it was going to be a hard game, which it proved to be. The Harlequins at times showed glimpses albeit small glimpses of what is possible. The team really do have to pull together as a team before that 2nd win can be achieved. In the next game against Hawick PSA the Harlequins will have to step up to the mark as a team if they are going to come away with a win.

Another defeat for the Harlequins at Croft Park. There were a few signs improvement but still the Harlequins are dependant on players getting back to fitness and form. Selkirk YC gave the home team a lesson in how to play as a team with some good running off the ball, and some pre planned moves. In brief this was another disappointing performance by the Quins, and if they are going to win the team have to go onto the park believing they are the better team.

Kelso Harlequins traveled to Hawick to take on what was expected to be a strong Wanderers side. It was proved to be the case and the young Kelso side had no answer to the power of the Wanderers. It has to be said that Kelso had about 10 senior players watching from the stand due to injury, and during the game there were other injuries with some players having to play out of position. This game should be put down to experience and the whole team should look at what they bring to the team. In the next few weeks there are some players back from injury so hopefully the score lines and performances can get better.

Kelso Harlequins traveled to Scremerston to face what was likely to be a weak Berwick side, although things did not turn out as Kelso expected. The first half was a dour event with the score at half time being 0 - 0. Kelso did in fact look like the better team for most of the first half although some bad handling and some bad decision making ended the half with Kelso with no score on the board. Although it has to be said Berwick did not show much more enterprise. The start of the second half was a different matter with Neil Hinnigan going over for a try with only about 5 minutes gone and then Berwick came back with their own try a few minutes later. Kelso Harlequins seemed to be working most of the time at half pace although there were some glimpses of what the team have to offer. Berwick got another simple try and it has to be said an outstanding try from their centre who made a break from half way and managed to escape some bad tackling to score under the posts.

All in all not the result the Harlequins expected. There is more work to be done in training and when the team pull together they are able to take on any team in the Semi Junior League.

Kelso got their League campaign of to a great start with a win at home to Melrose Colts, the final score being 16 points to 3. Neil Hinnigan scored a try with Greg Ponton converting the points to make the half time score 7 - 3. In the second half Greg Ponton kicked over 3 good penalty kicks for the other 9 points. Another good performance and as said earlier this team has the potential of going a long way this year if they can keep all the players fit.

Kelso Harlequins made a great start to this game with them looking like making a comfortable win. Tony Wichary went over the line for a try at the 7 minute point, but the conversion was missed, making the score 0 - 5. With some good interplay and some good domination in all aspects of the game Kelso Quins should have had a healthy lead by the 20 min point but all that they could convert from all the pressure was a penalty kick by Greg Ponton on 20 minutes. The remainder of the first half again was dominated by the Quins. With 32 minutes gone Quins got another penalty from the boot of Kieran Wilkinson making the half time score 0 - 11 for the Quins. All in all a very positive first half although I am sure all the players would be disappointed not to have been well out of sight on the score sheet, which they deserved for all the pressure put on the Tynedale side by the young Quins side.

As they say though it was a game of two halves and the Tynedale Colts came out to take the Quins on. Tynedale showed some grit and determination and some good team work to score 3 tries and 2 conversions making a final score of 19 - 11 to the Tynedale Colts.

To put this performance into perspective it has to be said that this was a very good performance overall by the Quins, with a young side just finding their feet as a team. There were a few players missing through injury and a few players had to be brought in at the last minute to bolster the team. The remainder of the season looks good for this Quins team.

Kelso Harlequins 29 - Melrose Colts 12

Kelso Harlequins made a solid start to their Rugby season with a convincing win over Melrose Colts at Poynder Park on Tuesday 23 August 2005. With a few players sidelined due to injury the Harlequins brought in some new players to the team. With all players playing well and some good rugby being played at this stage of the season. Try scorers were Nick Wichary, Greg Ponton, Dom Buckley, Kevin Herdman and Neil Hinnigan.

Name of Player	Tries	Conversions	Penalties	Drop Goals	Total Points
Keiran Wilkinson	2	20	11	1	86
Graeme Kellington	14	0	0	1	73
Greg Ponton	3	10	7	1	59
Alistair Riley	8	0	0	0	40
Michael Tait	6	0	0	0	30
Tony Wichary	5	0	0	0	25
Neil Hinnigan	5	0	0	0	25
Dom Buckley	5	0	0	0	25
Nick Wichary	4	0	0	0	20
Louis Wichary	3	0	0	0	15
Stefan Carnegie	2	0	0	0	10
Grant Shiells	2	0	0	0	10
Kevin Herdman	1	0	0	0	5
Greg Davidson	1	0	0	0	5
Craig Flannigan	1	0	0	0	5
Andrew Hogarth	1	0	0	0	5