Heriot's FP...32, Kelso...12

How ironic that on the day Hearts finally broke their trophy jinx, a rugby team should have emulated the Tynecastle club's most notorious ever perfomance.

Twelve years on from Hearts loss of both the league title and the Scottish

Cup within eight days, Kelso completed a similar sequence in reverse,

following

their cup final defeat with failure by a comparable margin in this Premiership play-off match at Pennypit Park.

As Kelso supporters took their medicine, there were, though, no scenes of unfettered emotion. But it would be wrong, however, to presume that these Borders rugby folk care any less. It was simply that they were appreciative of

the efforts their underdogs put in throughout this season.

''There are a lot of very sore and disappointed rugby players in there right now, but all in all we've had quite a good season,'' was the understated view of their coach, Bruce Rutherford.

The trauma he endured on a personal level ahead of this match pretty well reflected the way the odds built up against Kelso. Struck down with a virus that induced symptoms of a heart disorder sufficient to concern his doctor, he was discharged less than three hours before kick-off after two nights in Borders General Hospital.

The collective health of his team was little better following the withdrawal of key players Adam Roxburgh and Iain Fairley. Crisis became drama 22 minutes into this match as a stretcher was required for Kelso's best finisher, winger Colin Jackson, whose season ended with damaged knee ligaments.

In fairness to Heriot's, it is unlikely that even the most devastating of runners could have deprived them of a well- earned victory, such was their pack's dominance.

The Borderers simply didn't have the physical presence to compete with, in particular, an impressively powerful Heriot's back five. There was some exceptional continuity play by those Heriot's forwards, led by Graham Dall, with brother Andrew and Tam McVie very much in the van.

''I think we've started playing with a certain pattern in rucking and driving now,'' said a satisfied Kenny Milne on his last day as Heriot's coach. It's important now to spend time with the family, he feels.

The first quarter ended even, two penalties apiece by Gordon Ross and John Wearne, but the outcome was rarely in doubt after Frenchman Vincent Payot scored the first try. Wearne, enjoying a happier goal-kicking day than at Murrayfield a week earlier, struck once more before the interval, but his injury-time attempt to bring his side to within a point hit a post.

Two minutes after the restart Heriot's put the result beyond doubt, as the latest generation of what is fast becoming a Scottish rugby dynasty emerged.

Admittedly Gregor Lawson, the teenage son of inter-national scrum-half Alan, grandson of the voice of rugby Bill McLaren, was presented with his try. The forwards stripped down the Kelso defence, winning a succession of rucks and recycling superbly, before half-backs Derrick Patterson - exceptionally sharp after another injury- ravaged season - and Ross eventually decided the time was right to work the ball swiftly wide.

Heriot's final try was also scored by a back, but earned by the forwards, Jez Smith surprisingly emerging with the ball after a posse of team-mates had driven over the line with him.

For Milne and his team there was relief at maintaining a club record of never having been out of the top flight since the inception of leagues in 1973.

Coach Rutherford is desperate to hold on to his job yet, strangely after such

a

memorable season, isn't sure of being offered the chance he has surely earned.

''I'd love to carry on. I've been speaking to the club, but it doesn't necessarily follow that I'll be staying on,'' he said.

Scorers: Heriot's - V Payot (1 try), G Lawson (1t), J Smith (1t); G Ross (3 conversions, 4 penalties). Kelso - J Wearne (4 penalties).

Heriot's FP - G Lawrie; G Lawson, V Payot, J Smith, J Melvin; G Ross, D Patterson; J Bryce, C Turnbull, A Binnie, D Boswell, A Dall, T McVie, J Bell,

G

Dall. Replacements - S Taylor for G Dall (73min); A Garland for A Binnie

(77);

A McLean for C Turnbull (80).

Kelso - D Baird; R Carruthers, G Laing, S Ross, C Jackson; J Wearne, G Cowe; S

Murray, K Thomson, D Howlett, I Fullarton, S Laing, S Bennet, S Forsyth, K Hendry. Replacements - R Laing for C Jackson (22); R Hogarth for S Murray

(52);

S Rowley for K Hendry (52).

Referee - R Dickson (Madras FP).