Glasgow Hawks 21-13 Melrose

A great follow up to last week's win at Bridgehaugh. Very abrasive and skilful game unfolded with Melrose looking up for the challenge and the best 2nd's at OA this season , beside Boroughmuir. Mike Martin kicked pen for offside after 9mins. With defences on top took till 25mins for 1st try. Peter Redmayne stole Melrose lineout and after 3 abrasive drives Rory McKay scored in corner. Apparently first appearance for 2's for umpteen years! Good return! Mike slotted extras from touchline. 10-0
Tackle areas were hugely competitive and over-eagerness of Ally Maxwell ended with 10mins in bin and Melrose scoring after good scrum on line and couple of close drives.
Straight from ko Melrose dived into a ruck and Mike booted over pen from 40m. 13-7 after 31mins. Looked like HT score until daft offside in backs , chat to ref cost 10m and Melrose slotted pen . 13-10 HT.
Hawks had worked hard to get the scoreboard advantage but were giving it away by time back-row broke early from scrum , another pen, 13-13. Hawks trying to keep tempo up, Mike went for quick drop out, hits own player who was still retreating and another pen given!! Lot of bewildered looks turned to relief when pen missed, first miss of day. Next try was out top drawer, great carries by Rory, CT and Peter and control from Rob and Mike kept big pressure on Melrose defence before quick dart near line by Rob allowed Peter R to finish in corner. Good reward for patience and abrasive ruck clearing .
Hawks growing in confidence and more line-breaks ensued. Kris Boyle , Brodie and Whippy running great angles to get in behind defence. Bit more composure needed to finish them off as chances blown. Game in the balance at 18-13 , couple of Melrose break-outs thwarted by scrambling defence. Hawks managed to keep ball for last couple of minutes and one last offside allowed Mike M to take game away from Melrose with final kick , 21-13.

This article was posted on 29-Jan-2013, 12:08 by Hugh Barrow.