Edinburgh Accies 12
Melrose 22
RBS PREMIERSHIP
ATHOLL INNES reports from Raeburn Place
MELROSE coach John Dalziel emerged from the dressing room on Saturday delighted to have helped his club to win what he described as a “difficult game”.
“We wanted to make up for our defeat the previous week and I think that we used the wind better in the second half,” he told TheSouthern. “Our kick-and-chase was good and it was great to win the game.”
And coach Craig Chalmers agreed.
“We dug in and I thought that we were the better team in the second half,” he added.
Melrose’s hopes hung by a thread early in the second half, but as the match progressed they got stronger and took control of the game. Accies were forced onto the back foot, and although a Matt Coupar try kept them in the hunt, Melrose used their experience to fall just short of a bonus point.
Grant Runciman put himself about to score a try from close range, while Fraser Thomson, now a Glasgow Warrior, showed his value to the club as he raced away for a try to add to his aggressive runs in the windy conditions.
In the pack, Dalziel won good ball against a strong Accies side and he was given good support all round as the forwards built a sound platform after the interval.
Andrew Skeen’s accurate kicking into open space turned Accies back and allowed time for ’Rose to marshal their defence. Skeen also converted two tries and a penalty to add to Nick McGrath’s opening try.
Accies’ other points came from a Greg Campbell try and a conversion by Ruairidh Bonner, but that was simply not enough as the champions, who meet favourites Ayr this Saturday, got their season back on track.
Nothing was to deny the winners the points at the end of a bruising contest in which both sides played an extensive, running game.
Melrose: F. Thomson; G. White, N. McGrath, R. Mill, J. Helps; A. Skeen, B. Colvine; N. Little, R. Ferguson, G. Holborn, R. Ovens, R. Miller, J. Dalziel, G. Runciman, A. Nagle. Subs: A. Walker, C. Keen, P. Eccles, S. McCormick, S. Chalmers.