Glasgow Hawks 17

Melrose 37

THE tests keep coming for Rob Chrystie's Melrose - and for the second week in a row they have passed them with flying colours.

Following Hawks' impressive bonus-point win over Gala on the opening weekend, they are being tipped by many as title challengers.

But it was Melrose who looked the team most likely to be troubling the top spot come the end of the season with an impressive 80 minutes of defensive and opportunistic attacking rugby at Old Anniesland.

A penalty to the corner on five minutes and a rolling maul led to Ross McCann opening the Rose's account.

Jason Baggott added the extras.

Hawks responded with a George Horne penalty.

And despite some pressure from the home team Melrose never looked troubled.

Baggot added a further two penalties for the visitors.

Just seconds before the interval Melrose broke from defence with some fine handling which sent George Taylor under the posts.

Baggot's conversion gave Chrystie's team a handsome 20-3 lead at the break.

An interception in the second minute after half time saw Taylor race away for his second try.

Baggot again converted before adding a further penalty for a 30-3 scoreline.

Hawks finally got over the Melrose line just after the hour with Grant Stewart touching down.

The home team continued to press and, with Nick Beavon yellow carded, they were awarded a penalty try.

With just a few minutes remaining, and restored to full strength, Ross McCann sprinted clear for the bonus point try.