Kelso silence critical fans

AFTER hitting out at their own supporters for verbal abuse of their players, Kelso gave the perfect answer on the field with a victory which was more convincing than the scoreline suggests. The match programme editor had blasted the fans over what he described as a worrying pattern of behaviour and added: ''Any player can have a bad game and players know themselves when this is the case. The club welcomes the support and encouragement given by spectators, but the type of verbal abuse hurled at players in recent matches will not be tolerated.''

Coach George Robson preferred to talk about the game, which propelled Kelso into second spot in Division Two of the BT Scotland Premiership, but did make his point.

''It's not a perfect game and we want to take a few risks'' he said. ''Supporters have got to accept that occasionally things go wrong. The players are trying their hardest for Kelso.

''We just want the fans to get behind the team rather than be critical of them. I know that the guys who pay their money to come through the gates are entitled to their opinion, but I would rather the support was more positive than negative,'' he added.

The supporters on Saturday seemed to take the lesson to heart. They cheered when Adam Roxburgh scored the first try in 15 minutes and breathed a sigh of relief as John Fleming squeezed in at the left hand corner eight minutes from time.

In between, they saw a Kelso side, which included Edinburgh Reiver Stuart Lang, fail to capitalise on their dominant possession and they should have been out of sight long before the final whistle.

Lang had to leave the field to have two stitches put in a cheekbone injury, but was soon back in this fray. ''Stuart gives us a lot more direction'' said Robson.

The coach, in his first season at Poynder Park believes that his side has the ability to make a challenge to get a place back in Division One. ''We are over anxious at the moment, but it's all about confidence and once we get that back, we can do well in this league.''

Kelso rely heavily on full back Graeme Aitchison, back row men New Zealander Shane Auld and Roxburgh, and the aerial power of Steve Rowley and Stuart Laing in the line out.

Young blood is also emerging in John and Murray Fleming, while their availability of Darren Howlett will add strength to the scrummaging as the season progresses.

On Saturday, however, there were many anxious and frustrating moments in their performance when passes fail to go to hand and the ball was knocked forward in crucial phases.

Kelso did exercise a greater control, a point acknowledged by Accies' backs coach Phil Smith, who felt that the match might have turned on two incidents when his side, under no pressure, was wheeled round on their own scrummage five metres from the home line; and again when they paid the penalty for a squint line out throw, again five metres out.

''These were a potential 14 points,'' said Smith, who added that a leg injury to winger John Howison erased a potential force in their armoury. Smith added that defeat was not a major blow to their season's ambitions. ''It is another part of the learning curve and we just have to concentrate harder and take the opportunities to score.''

Accies began the game as if they would sweep their opponents aside and it was no surprise when Kelso fell behind to Smith's penalty after the home team had been caught off side.

Smith missed a second penalty before, against the run of play, Kelso took the lead, Laing feeding Roxburgh from ruck ball and Aitchison converted.

The score lifted Kelso, although they were unable to add to their lead, two missed Aitchison penalties and a miscued drop goal attempt by Murray Fleming costing them a more comfortable cushion at the interval.

Kelso maintained the momentum after half time. Aitchison and Smith exchanged penalties, and even with Accies prop Duncan Harrison in the sin bin for 10 minutes, Kelso were unable to add to their score.

With Accies restored to full strength, Aitchison kicked a second penalty and John Fleming made sure of the points when he took Roxburgh pass 15 metres out and beat the covered defence for the try.

One could almost hear the relief around the ground, and for once the supporters gave their players the backing which the coach had asked for.

Kelso - G Aitchison; S Ross, G Laing, S Lang, J Fleming; M Fleming, G Cowe; J McIntosh (D Howlett, 58 min), K Thomson, D Paxton, S Rowley, S Laing, S Auld, D Rankin, A Roxburgh.

Edinburgh Academicals - S McRae; C Williams, C Olsen, C Murray, J Howison (J Russell, 24); P Smith, M Blair; D Harrison, E Stott, D Graham, R Boyd, N Pike, J Parrot (D Girdler, 65), S Paterson, J Boyd.

Referee - D Changleng (Gala)

Scoring sequence: (Kelso first) - 0-3, 5-3, 7-3, (half-time); 10-3, 10-6, 13-6, 18-6.

Scorers: Kelso - Tries Roxburgh (15), J Fleming (72). Penalties - Aitchison (42,63). Conversions - Aitchison (15). Edinburgh Accies - Penalties - Smith (2, 53).