Border Telegraph | Sport | Tongue-tied 'Rose need to get talking

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 8th October, 2008 09:00

Tongue-tied 'Rose need to get talking

By Atholl Innes

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MELROSE will tackle ‘lack of leadership’on the field as they prepare to travel to play Glasgow Hawks this weekend.

With only two wins in six games and sitting perilously close (along with Hawick) at the foot of the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership 1, Melrose still play down claims of a crisis.

The coaches and players were locked in the home dressing rooms for some time after the 20-12 defeat by Currie on Saturday.

But when they did emerge, forwards coach John Dalziel pointed the blame at his own side.

John Dalziel:

“We feel very angry about it. We did the hard bits, but could not finish. There was a real lack of leadership. We could not keep the ball, we threw it away and we tried to rush things,” he said.

“We have to win games like those, and this was unacceptable.”

Dalziel himself, along with centre Jamie Murray, have not played this season due to shoulder injuries – but hope to be back a week on Saturday.

“We are not really that worried for we have a belief in what we are trying to do,” said Dalziel.

“But it is worrying that we have so many experienced guys and there was no leadership on the field.

“We need to get the right people talking at the right time. “We have to close our games like that. After our win last week (at Edinburgh Accies), this has knocked us back down the ladder.

“But there is a lot of rugby left in the season, and we have had a hard time with injuries.”

Getting back up the ladder will not be easy at Hawks, who have turned their season round with two successive wins – and with Peter Wright, who also spent some time at The Greenyards, at the helm – will be looking to build on that reversal in their fortunes.

Hawick are also facing tough times – their only win being against Selkirk two weeks ago – and they head to Currie, buoyant by that win at Melrose.

It will be no easier for Selkirk, who will be hoping that their Philiphaugh form will help to end Ayr’s unbeaten run and topple the league leaders.

The Souters came home from Goldenacre pointless despite scoring three tries – but coach Kevin Barrie will know that, as they did after their defeat at Hawick to beat Watsonians, that they will give Ayr a run for their money.

Gala are finding it no easier in Premiership 2 and defeat at Hamilton, even with a losing bonus point, will have dented their ego.

This Saturday, the Maroons are at home to Peebles in a local derby between the sides promoted at the end of last season.

Peebles won at Netherdale last season – and will be looking to repeat the dose.

Elsewhere, the high-flying Jed-Forest under Cliff Livingstone entertain Hamilton while Kelso will need to pick up the pieces after their home defeat from Musselburgh against leaders Dundee High School FP in Dundee.

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