Six try Melrose earn bragging rights at Netherdale

Atholl Innes at Netherdale

ARGUABLY, there is no substitute for a Borders derby, and while this was not a total classic at Netherdale on Saturday, the nine tries on a splendid afternoon for rugby added to the excitement.

Melrose were generally in control after scoring in four minutes while Gala’s late try surge put a better complexion on the final scoreline.

Gala felt that Melrose should have been handed a yellow card earlier while the loss of two tries early in the second added to their uphill battle.

“We had to work hard and we took our chances when they came,” said Melrose coach, Robert Chrystie, “but Gala did too.

"I am pleased with the result.

“The whole squad is working really hard and putting in a lot of effort, and we will try to get even better. Both teams had opportunities, as Currie had a week earlier, and we were just a bit sharper.”

Two of the Gala tries were scored when prop James Bhatti was sent to the sin-bin by referee Cammy Rudkin and their third deep into injury time.

Coach Chris Dalgleish, who felt Melrose should have been shown a card before half-time, was disappointed with the result.

“Just after half-time, we conceded a couple of soft tries. We finished well, but we need to do better than that as we did get out of the blocks.

“Melrose are very clinical and we were chasing the game after that. We are reasonably adapt at doing that.”

On a warm afternoon, a vindication for summer rugby, Melrose scored six tries with Jason Baggott converting five and kicking a penalty.

The loss of an early try from Russell Anderson shocked the home troops and another score by Neil Irvine-Hess, two Baggott conversions and a penalty, put the visitors 17-6 ahead at the break, Gregor Hunter kicking two penalties for Gala.

Scores by Iain Moody, the first of his two, and Baggott put Gala on the back foot before Ross Combe and Chris Weir scored twice and Hunter converted.

But Ross McCann and Rory Scholes exchanged late tries, Graham Speirs drop-kicking the Gala one, Baggot adding his fifth wrapped up an open contest.

Gala: R. Scholes; G. Speirs, C. Dean, P. Hendry, C. Robertson; G. Hunter, G. Lott; M. Carryer, D. Brooker, C. Keen, O. Palepoi, C. Weir, R. Louw, J. Irvine, S. Cairns. Replacements: C. Reynolds, R. Tod, A. Emond, G. Mein, R. Combe.

Melrose: F. Thomson; R. McCann, G. Taylor, R. Taylor, A. Lockington; J. Baggott, M. McAndrew; J. Bhatti, R. Anderson, N. Beavon, J. Head, L. Carmichael, N. Irvine-Hess, G. Runciman, I. Moody. Replacements: C. Mckay, R. Mcleod, R. Knott, S. Hutchison, G. Wood.