Melrose Ladies 33
RHC Cougars 29
RBS WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
MELROSE recorded their first win against one of Scotland’s “old firm” top two teams as their 13 players hung on against an RHC second half comeback.
Both teams were under strength but RHC still managed to field a number of the current Scotland squad who failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage against a resilient home side.
Playing in perfect conditions on a pristine new pitch both sides were able to move the ball freely and it looked ominous as the visitors scored on the overlap within minutes of the start. Jolted into life Melrose began to take charge and, with Lana Skeldon and the front row of Laura Purves, Megan Maciver and Jenna Hall leading the depleted pack on several rampages, it sometimes looked like there was an extra two on the field rather than the opposite.
With RHC on the back foot good running from the backs, in particular Chloe Rollie and Kirsty Paterson bursting through the defence on a sixty metre run, saw Melrose ahead 26-10 at the break. Indeed it could have been more but for a couple of dropped passes and a failed grounding over the line.
As expected RHC gathered themselves and hit back with an immediate try only to see Gillian Inglis supporting another run from Rollie to score under the posts. With shorthanded Melrose defending hard but tiring, RHC runners began to find gaps but a couple of late tries were not enough to deny the home side a famous victory.
Melrose scorers: Lauren Harris (2), Kirsty Paterson, Jenna Hall, Gillian Inglis. Lana Skeldon converted four.