Rugby fate seems inevitable for Falkirk after Kelso drubbing

Kelso 59 Falkirk 7
Kelso RFC v Falkirk RFC in BT National League One match at Poynder Park, Kelso; Kelsono no4 Paudie Lawlor with the ball.Kelso RFC v Falkirk RFC in BT National League One match at Poynder Park, Kelso; Kelsono no4 Paudie Lawlor with the ball.
Kelso RFC v Falkirk RFC in BT National League One match at Poynder Park, Kelso; Kelsono no4 Paudie Lawlor with the ball.

Bottom side Falkirk remain very much in the basement after a heavy defeat under the lights at Poynder Park.

The Horne Park side have had a tough year with only one point from theirmatches to date and opposition are now determined to avoid being their first scalp.

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And so it proved with kelso keen to run up an early lead – the clock showed just 73 seconds when Iain Sim went over for the try. Just 2 minutes later and Kelso went in for their 2 nd try through Heino Gaiserand Craig Dods added the conversion.

It was going to be a very long night for Falkirk – and it took them 20 minutes just to get over halfway. By then Sim had added another but Falkirk hit back and scored a good try through prop John McKenna. The big prop smashed his way over the lines from just a couple of metres. Fionn Call added the extras.

But thenSim completed his hatrick with a fantastic try. The flying winger spotted a broken Falkirk defence in a move which started in his own half. Dods added the extras and Kelso had secured their try bonus before half time.

Falkirk were reduced to 14 men when number 8 Stewart McCulloch was shown a yellow card.for persistent infringements by Falkirk.

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The 2 nd half started like the first, with Kelso firmly on top and that continued as the scoreboard ticked on in the home side’s favour.

Andrew Skeen managed to dance and weave his way through the Falkirk defence to score. Dods added the extras.

Gregor Mein then grabbed his second try of the night when he finished off a move involving backs and forwards. Paudie Lawlor did tremendously well to catch a wayward pass but he then fed the ball out to Mein who smashed his way over, taking two defenders with him. Dods added the extras.

Mein had scored his first shortly before the interval as Kelos bulldozed the side from Central Scotland.

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The home side then breached the 50 point barrier when Heino Gaiser grabbed his second try of the night. The move was started with an excellent break by Kevin Dryden, the flanker then fed Gaiser who scampered away to score. Dods added the extras.

With the clock ticking down, Gregor Mein then completed his hatrick. Dods added the extras and completed a very good night with the boot. Falkirkkept fighting away and put in some very good tackles. Their fate looks inevitable but it’s reassuring to see that the team don’t give up.

And Kelso coach Gary Stevens paid tribute to the Friday night visitors.

He said: “Falkirk have been playing with plenty of pride and aren’t afraid to give the ball some air and this alone made them worthy opponents. They are without a win but certainly know how to score tries.

“The game started well and though three tries seemed easy Falkirk were very physical in defence and our players knew they were in for a tough contest.”