Melrose toil to victory
ATHOLL INNES AT THE GREENYARDS
Melrose 32
Glasgow Hawks 25

MELROSE never managed to notch two league wins in a row last season but after successive victories in this campaign, coach Craig Chalmers hopes that the tide has turned in the club's title bid.

However, the former Scotland international was left unimpressed by his side's display in a game where Hawks perhaps deserved more than just a losing bonus point. "It was a below-par performance. We got the win, but our display was not anywhere near what we need if we want to win the league this season," Chalmers said.

It took a second try from Melrose flanker Bill Wallace two minutes from the end to secure maximum points after Sean Murray was sin-binned for a bit of jersey pulling on Scott McCormick. Melrose made the extra man count from a rolling maul with Wallace plunging over the line - yet Hawks responded with a late try of their own from Gary Strain. Hawks coach Dave Cockburn admitted: "We have three bonus points, but we need a win."

Melrose's other tries came from Calum Anderson and Richard Higgins, Scott Wight kicking the rest of the points. Stuart Smith and Stuart Low touched down for Hawks and Mike Adamson kicked the goals.

Scorers: Melrose: Tries: Wallace (2), Anderson, Higgins. Cons: Wight (3). Pens: Wight (2). Glasgow Hawks: Tries: Smith, Low, Strain. Cons: Adamson (2). Pens: Adamson (2).

Melrose: A Jessop; C Anderson, J Murray, G Stewart, M Robertson; S Wight, R Chrystie; A Gillie, W Mitchell, R Higgins, R Miller, S Johnston, J Dalziel, G Dodds, W Wallace. Subs used: G Innes, K Cooney, C Robson, S McCormick.

Glasgow Hawks: M Adamson; S Gordon, S Smith, I Noble, S Low; R Jackson, K Sinclair; G Strain, D Malcolm, G McFadyen, A Dale, A Kelly, M Sitch, A Maclay, G Strang. Subs used: G Mories, R Gray, S Murray, J McLay, N Caddell.

Referee: T. Coutts.

This article was posted on 17-Sep-2007, 07:56 by Hugh Barrow.