Melrose 25

Stirling County 17

Athol Innes at The Greenyards

MELROSE were happy with victory minus the bonus point in a close encounter on Saturday at The Greenyards where the hosts cashed in on a yellow card with two quick tries.

There were gasps of disbelief from the crowd as the hosts passed up the opportunity of a possible bonus point when Jason Baggott elected to kick the penalty with the final kick and that denied the visitors a point, which they deserved.

However, coach Robert Chrystie was delighted with the performance with several key players missing as they denied County a third Borders scalp after wins over Hawick and Gala in recent weeks.

“The game was still in the balance at the time and I am just happy with the result although we did make mistakes,” Chrystie said.

“We had a lot of first-team players out and those who came in gave an outstanding effort.

“We managed the game really well.”

There was particular disappointment in the Stirling camp, especially as the tries from Craig Jackson, who captained the side, and Jamie Bhatti came with Nemia Kenatale in the sin-bin

David Adamson, the County coach, added: “We played well in parts and our line-outs were not functioning and our discipline let us down. We got ourselves into a position to win the game and the yellow card and tries were a real killer.

“It was a good game played in good spirits” – despite a stramash after the final whistle and which took the glory of a competitive victory.

Melrose led 8-7 at the interval, Ruaridh Knott’s try and Baggott’s penalty responding to a Craig Pringle try and Jonny Hope conversion.

The match ebbed and flowed as Hope kicked County ahead before tries by Jackson and Bhatti and two Baggott conversions put Melrose in the driving seat.

But Shaun McDonald scored, Hope converted, with two minutes left, before Baggott raised home celebrations with the final kick of a close encounter.

Melrose: A. Lockington; N. Godsmark, C. Jackson, R. Taylor, G. Wood; J. Baggott, M. McAndrew; J. Bhatti, R. Anderson, N. Beavon, J. Head, A. Grieve, N. Irvine-Hess, R. Knott, I. Moody. Replacements: C. Mackay, D. Elkington, R. McLeod, D. Colvine, S. Hutchison.