SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY REPORTS

Published Date: 30 August 2009
By Alan Lorimer at the Greenyards
A TOUCHLINE conversion by skipper Scott Wight on the stroke of full time gave Melrose victory over Glasgow Hawks in a compelling contest at the Greenyards.
Hawks appeared to have the game in their pocket when they led 20-15 with barely one minute left. But Melrose refused to lie down and in a final attack the ball went wide to new signing Ben Allen for the New Zealand wing to score on the overlap.

In the end Hawks could not argue with the Melrose 3-1 try advantage but given their front five power and ability to threaten with ball in hand it was a disappointing result for the visitors – the losing bonus point scant consolation.

Encouraging for Hawks, however, was the form of their 18-year old stand-off Duncan Weir. The former Cambuslang player, who was unable to challenge for a Scotland U18 place last season because of a long-term injury, showed composure in the pivot position and crucially was able to kick his goals, the youngster putting over five penalties in what came close to a winning contribution.

What secured the match for Melrose was their flair in attack, albeit that their paucity of possession as the match wore on meant few chances for moving the ball wide.

"We created a lot more," said Melrose coach Craig Chalmers, while conceding that his side were up against it in the frontal battle. "Hawks were disciplined and well-drilled up front. Our cause was not helped by giving away stupid penalties in the first half," he added.

Weir's first penalty gave Hawks the lead after ten minutes but Melrose demonstrated their craft with an impressive score from clever interplay between No.8 Ross Miller and Wight before teenager Craig Jackson laid on the perfect pass for full back Fraser Thomson to touch down in the corner.

Wight converted and before half time had kicked his only penalty goal, countered by three from Weir to give the visitors a 12-10 interval advantage.

Melrose struggled to gain territorial advantage but in a rare incursion into Hawks 22 it was Jackson who again supplied a perfectly weighted pass for Thomson to claim his second try.

After an attack inspired by the quicksilver Craig Gossman, the Hawks scrum-half put in a trademark grubber kick to the corner for centre Ian Noble to grab his side's only try of the match.

With the match finely balanced Hawks moved into a winning position with a fifth penalty goal from Weir only for Melrose wing Ben Allen to score at the death and Wight to provide the winning kick.

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, C Jackson, B Allen; S Wight, S McCormick; K Cooney, R Ferguson, R Higgins, G Dodds, S Johnson, G Elder, J Dalziel, R Miller. Subs used: L Gibson, G Innes, T Miskelly.

Glasgow Hawks: C Gossman; R Hair, I Noble, S Duffy, I Boyer; D Weir, P Jericevich; N Cox, J Maclay, J Stafford, R McKay, M Whittleston, G Harkness, G Oommen, G Strang. Subs used: G Strain, C Taylor, C Kerr, E Morrison, S Low.

Scorers: Melrose – Tries – Thomson (2), Allen. Cons – Wight (2). Pens – Wight. Glasgow Hawks – Tries – Noble. Pens – Weir (5).

Referee: A Healy (GHA).

This article was originally posted on 30-Aug-2009, 07:13 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 30-Aug-2009, 22:06.