By Dai
February 16 2004

The Warriors held on for a victory against the Scottish Borders on Sunday evening despite being in a 26 - 3 lead early in the second half. For furtehr details read on.

Celtic Warriors 29 - 24 Borders

If it hadn't been for a 24 point haul from Neil Jenkins, the Warriors could well have been in danger of losing to the Borders in front of a small crowd at the Brewery Field.

In the first half, three penalties by Jenkins compared to one by Gareth Morton put the Warriors into a 9 - 3 lead. Jenkins then received a try scoring pass from James to go under the posts and score the games first try. He slotted over the simple conversion to put the Warriors in a comfortable 16 - 3 lead. This was followed by a further penalty just before half time to increase the lead to 19 - 3.  

In the second half Richard Mustoe went over for the Warriors second try and at this point it looked as if the Warriors had secured the victory with the scoreboard reading 26 - 3. However, the Borders fight back then began. Tries for Stevie Scott, Gareth Morton and Tony Walker closed the gap to only 2 points but a fifth penalty for Neil Jenkins at the end of the game ensured a victory for the Warriors.

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Warriors Scorers:

Mustoe (Try), N. Jenkins (1 try, 2 cons, 5 pens)

 

Borders Scorers:

Scott (Try), Walker (Try), Morton (1 try, 1 pen), Vili (2 cons), Macrae(1 con)

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Warriors Starting XV: Gareth Wyatt; Dafydd James, Shaun James, Jonny Bryant (capt), Richard Mustoe; Neil Jenkins, Sililo Martens; Christian Loader, Mathew Rees, Chris Horsman, Nick Kelly, Deiniol Jones, Maama Molitika, Cory Harris, Richard Parks.
Replacements: Christian Balshen, Mike Powell, Ryan Jones, Paul John, Anthony Carter, Martyn Jones, Aesia Havili.

Borders Starting XV: Cammie Murray; Nikki Walker, Gareth Morton, Kevin Utterson, Craig Moir; Tanner Vili, Iain Fairley; Craig Dunlea, Stevie Scott, Geoff Cross, Scott MacLeod, Colin Stewart, Tony Walker, Dan Kane, Semo Sititi.
Replacements: Ross Ford, Kelvin Todd, Alastair Davidson, Kelly Brown, Gary Armstrong, Clark Laidlaw, Calum MacRae.

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