Melrose 10 – 17 Gala

GALA wrestled the Waverley Cup off Melrose in the traditional Boxing Day fixture at a rain-lashed Greenyards this afternoon (Saturday).

With the Premiership season reaching a crucial stage, both teams rested key players for the festive friendly.

However, the visitors, who are fighting to retain their place in the top flight, emerged victorious – and secured the bragging rights for another year.

A hat-trick of penalties from David O'Hagan gave Gala a narrow 7-9 lead at half-time, with scores in the 19th, 33th, and 40th minutes.

However, Melrose, who kicked off the match, were first to score with Neil Irvine-Hess diving over for a try, which was converted by Joe Helps, after only three minutes.

Eleven minutes into the second half and the home side regained their lead. With the pitch cutting up and Melrose unable to find a hole in the visitors' defence, Jason Baggott took a step back and kicked a drop goal. 

But the lead was short lived as Melrose were penalised just inside their own half two minutes later and O'Hagan kicked his fourth – and toughest - penalty.

Replacement Matt Carryer extended Gala's lead just seconds after being thrown into action midway through the second half.

But O'Hagan missed the conversion to throw Melrose a lifeline, with the gap between the two sides just seven points.

As the light faded at the Greenyards so too did the home side's hopes of a late score, despite pinning Gala into their own half, and the referee eventually blew for full-time much to the relief of the large travelling support.

Melrose: Sam Chalmers, Joe Helps, Nyle Godsmark, Richard Taylor, George Taylor, Jason Baggott, Bruce Colvine; Jamie Bhatti, Cameron Mackay, Nick Beavon, Graeme Dodds, Ally Grieve, Neil Irvine-Hess, Ruaridh Knott, Andrew Nagle. Replacements: Richard Ferguson, Callum Crookshanks, Angus Runciman, Callum Wilde, S Harris, Gavin Wood, David Colvine, Struan Hutchison.

Gala: Craig Dods, Ross Livingston, Dwayne Burrows, Rex Jeffrey, Lewis Clarke, David O'Hagan, Lachlan Johnston; Luke Pettie. Richie Todd, Callum McIntosh, Chris Weir, Craig Borthwick, Scott Chapman, Stevie Cairns, Euan Dods. Replacements: Kris Keen, Opeta Palepoi, Matt Carryer, Frankie Robson, Andrew Mitchell, Cameron Pate, Keith Young.