Final rematch in National League Cup last 16

National League Cup champions, Dumfries Saints, will play runners-up, Kelso, in this season’s second round.

Dumfries narrowly missed out on promotion to join Kelso in Tennent’s National League 1 this season but rose to the occasion in the inaugural cup final at Lasswade, beating the Borderers 30-17.

Head Coach of Dumfries Saints, Rudi Urbach, said: “The opportunity to test yourself against teams outwith your league is a hugely positive part of what the National League Cup is all about.

Last year was a great opportunity to play against a quality Kelso side and, more importantly, to share our rugby values and build a healthy relationship with another brilliant club.”

The National League Cup sees teams from the Tennent’s National League Divisions 2 and 3 join the bottom six of the previous year’s National Division 1 to battle it out for silverware over the course of the season.

Elsewhere, there are east versus west match-ups as Tennent’s National League 1 teams, Musselburgh and Hamilton, meet while Whitecraigs play Preston Lodge following their first-round victories.

Highland, Lasswade and Stewart’s Melville face stern challenges as they travel to higher ranked opposition in Cartha Queens Park, Kirkcaldy and Aberdeen Grammar, respectively.

Falkirk will be looking to kick on from a disappointing season where they won just one game in competitive action when they host West of Scotland.

Borders outfit, Peebles, will travel to Newton Stewart in the remaining fixture.

The draw was made this week at BT Murrayfield by Director of Rugby Development, Sheila Begbie.