Match Round-Up: A Christmas Home Double-Header to Remember at Braidholm

GHA Rugby Club, Braidholm
Saturday 13 December 2025
GHA RFC 20 – Selkirk 14

On one of the wettest days in GHA Rugby Club’s history, the 1XV and 2XV brought what is potentially the biggest year in the Club’s history to a close with a memorable Christmas double-header of home victories at Braidholm.

Following a disappointing fortnight away in the Borders, the stakes were high for the 1XV. A win was vital to keep GHA in contention for next season’s Premiership and to ensure they remained firmly within the top four heading into the winter break.

The occasion was set well before kick-off. A sold-out Christmas pre-match lunch welcomed 120 GHA and Selkirk supporters, alongside a fantastic turnout of Clarkston and GHA past players. The lunch provided a chance to celebrate the long-standing partnership between GHA and Selkirk in support of Breathing Space.

The wider GHA community also gathered behind a food bank drive organised by Club Captain Michael Fox and the senior playing group. Donations from the day will be passed on to Glasgow SE Foodbank, supporting families across the Southside over the festive period. The Club would like to thank Denise Ritchie and Audrey Flanagan from Glasgow SE Foodbank, who joined the pre-match celebrations and spoke powerfully about the importance of donation drives and the real impact they have locally.

Head Coach Calum Forrester also addressed the lunching crowd, reflecting on the challenges posed by the previous two weeks’ results and the task ahead against a determined and experienced Selkirk side.

While the weather held off through most of the morning, heavy rain soon arrived, making light and visibility a challenge for all involved. Despite the conditions, the stand at Braidholm was packed to the gunnels with home and travelling support.

From kick-off, GHA took early control and punished Selkirk’s defensive line with controlled, precise attacking play. Luke McCutcheon was first to register on the scoreboard, slicing through the Selkirk defence to score beneath the posts. Gregor Drummond, a late addition to the starting XV, converted to give GHA an early advantage: GHA 7 – Selkirk 0.

As the rain intensified and strong gales set in, handling and carrying became increasingly difficult. From under the posts, Andrew Goudie produced a perfectly judged long field kick which saw Dario Ewing pull off a superb one-handed take in the far corner, keeping himself in play to score GHA’s second try. The conversion was missed, but the home side extended their lead to 12–0.

With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Grant Mollison found space in the opposite corner to his captain to touch down for GHA’s third try. Despite the challenging kicking conditions, GHA defended resolutely until the half-time whistle, heading into the break with a commanding lead: GHA 17 – Selkirk 0.

Meanwhile, on the JWF 3G pitch, GHA 2XV were in full control of their Inter-City Reserve League fixture against Marr 2XV, racing to a 24–5 lead at half-time.

Selkirk emerged from the interval with renewed urgency and quickly changed the narrative of the contest. Two tries under the welcoming lights of the clubhouse brought the visitors right back into contention, closing the gap to just three points: GHA 17 – Selkirk 14.

What followed was a fraught fifteen-minute period marked by handling errors, missed tackles and lost possession, all exacerbated by what had become a full monsoon, tearing up the Braidholm surface and making it difficult to distinguish players, teams and officials amid the mud.

For much of the remainder of the second half, GHA struggled to turn powerful carries, dominant mauls and intelligent kicking into the points needed to secure a try bonus. However, a crucial penalty finally allowed Gregor Drummond to relieve the pressure and extend the lead once more: GHA 20 – Selkirk 14.

With injury stoppages and resets prolonging the contest, both sides and their supporters waited anxiously for the long second half to draw to a close. GHA secured possession just after the clock passed 80 minutes, with Euan McKirdy diving into touch to bring the contest to an end and seal a hard-fought home victory. Final score: GHA 20 – Selkirk 14.

Under such treacherous conditions, there were no prolonged celebrations pitch-side, and both pitches at Braidholm were quickly abandoned for the warmth of the clubhouse.

The game on the astro had long since finished, with the 2XV celebrating an excellent 41–17 bonus-point victory over Marr 2XV, a result that cemented their place at the top of the Reserve League table.

Once players and supporters had thawed out, the post-match celebrations continued indoors. The shared Breathing Space trophy was presented to 1XV Vice-Captain Adam Kerr for the second time this season, while Selkirk marked a special moment of their own by presenting Ross Nixon with his 350th cap for the club — a fitting celebration of grassroots rugby.

The Club would like to thank everyone who joined us at Braidholm on Saturday and wish all supporters a Happy Holidays. We look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year.

We would also like to send our very best wishes to our Match Reporter, Chris Nairn, and wish him a speedy recovery. A game day at Braidholm is not the same without him.

Teams

GHA: G Drummond; G Mollison, C Lonergan, M Hughes, R Nolan; A Goudie, E McKirdy; S Collins, R Campbell, M Fox, A Kerr (VC), J Davies, S Plumridge, D Ewing (C), L McCutcheon. Subs used: C Stewart, L Hodge, C MacGregor, D Shellard, O Lonergan-Black, B Curtis, A Bogidrau.

Selkirk: J Welsh; R MacDonnell, A Grant-Suttie, B Allan, B Pickles; R Nixon, H Alderson; G Paxton, C Tait (CC), B Riddell, A McColm (CC), J Fisher, M Job, B Stewart, K Westlake. Subs used: R Joyce, S Murray, M Rutherford, T Wilson, O McClymont, E Wilson, A Morris.

Match Officials: Mr D Young, Mr C Lazenby, Mr W Anderson
Match Photography: Joyce & Colin Robinson
Match Officials Information: Ian Robin