A storming late two converted tries finish from Falkirk saw then run border side Jedforest very close indeed at Riverside Park Jedburgh as they exited the BT National Cup in the second round with their heads held high last weekend. It could also be said to have been a landmark for Falkirk Rugby Club as the squad contained six emergant youngsters, who will without any shadow of a doubt form the nucleas and play a huge part in the fortunes of the club for many years to come.

Honours remained even until the 16th minute when Stand-Off Glen Faulds converted a penalty for Falkirk,previous to him having sent Full-Back Martin Hall away at pace for a lengthy break. However Jedforest countered just three minutes later when their Stand-Off Robbie Yourston broke over from a five metre ruck in the corner following good handling in Falkirk's 22 metre area. The same man then went on to add a converted penalty in the 25th minute,and from the restart Jed ran the ball back at Falkirk with Right-Winger Greg Anderson exposing some weak tackling by breaking through for the borderers' second try, with Yourston converting both touchdowns. Falkirk were dealt a blow with the loss of captain Graham Gilliland to injury

Nevertheless Falkirk came roaring back, just after the half hour mark when they surged into Jed's last quarter of the field and Outside-Centre Connor Faulds made good ground and paved the way for Left-Winger Gary Dempsey to jink his way through for a well taken try,which Glen Faulds duly converted,and the same man was on the spot to convert a 38th minute penalty.

HT: Jedforest 17 Falkirk 13.

The visitors' fortunes dipped markedly very shortly into the second period of play when their Lock-Forward Stewart McCulloch was yellow -carded and Jed immediately seized their opportunity when their Lock Clark Skeldon barged over from a five metre ruck, with Yourston duly adding the conversion. Coming under the cosh and down to 14 men, Falkirk found themselves up against sustained pressure and the home side went on to add another converted penalty from Yourston, which was presently followed with a try from Number 8 Jack Sudlow and a Yourston conversion for a 34-13 lead. With their youngsters to the fore Falkirk's sheer, dogged determination shone through as they went hell for leather at their adversaries in the closing stages of the match.

Putting some fine phases of play together the Sunnysiders' back division handled well for Gary Dempsey to show his magic with an impressive break for his brace of tries and from a very similar situation shortly afterwards another incisive attack saw the ball go loose but young Duncan Scobbie was at hand to follow up and dive on the ball near Jed's uprights with Glen Faulds converting both tries. It was nail biting for the home support as Falkirk continued to look for another score but credit to the home team as their defence just held out to the final whistle

FT: Jedforest 34 Falkirk 27

Falkirk Team 1.John McKenna 2.Andrew Gillespie 3.Keith Slade 4.Stewart McCulloch 5.David Stoddart 6.Gregor Brodie 7.Andrew McNab 8.Andrew Hamilton 9 Angus Rennie 10 Glen Faulds 11.Gary Dempsey 12.Graham Gilliland 13.Connor Faulds 14.Kyle Rowe 15.Martin Hall Subs.16.Graeme Simpson 17.Lewis Skinner 18.Jake Eaglesham 19.Duncan Scobbie..