They had to rely on Scotland Sevens stars James Johnstone and former club captain Scott Wight, released to the club on the pro player draft, to score the points at Raeburn Place on Saturday.

But, having lost to new leaders Ayr the previous weekend, Head Coach John Dalziel admitted: “I’m just happy to get out of here with a win.” Johnstone and Wight were joined in the Melrose starting line-up by international team mate Damien Hoyland, who helped Melrose to the Scottish championship last season.

And they are hoping to feature again for the Greenyards club before the season is over.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph pitchside after the full-time whistle, Johnstone, who was making his debut for Melrose, said: “I was really pleased personally to get a try for Melrose “The forwards did a lot of hard work for most of that game so to reward them with a try at the end was really good. There was a lot of tit for tat but, by the end, we managed to get the upper hand so we’re pleased with that.

“Me, Wighty, and Damo were really excited to come and play today, we all really enjoyed being part of the 15s set up again, and hopefully we’ll get a bit more of that throughout the season.” Melrose were tied 0-0 with Accies at half-time, but stuck in to win 16-5. Two Wight penalties put the visitors 6-0 up before a try for the home side from Duncan Morrison pulled the score back to 6-5.

A converted try by Johnstone and then another penalty from Wight sealed the points for the Greenyards club, albeit while Accies were playing a man short after Robin Snape was sent to the sin bin.

Reflecting on the match, Dalziel said: “It was a game we had to win after earlier defeats. I just think we should have got more rewards for the forward dominance we had.

“We’ve been starved of professional lately; Damien and Wighty are Melrose guys and we took JJ in the draft because we know what he can offer as well, he’s a good lad and has come in and been a real professional all week. He’s got down to both our training sessions and tried to understand the way that Melrose are trying to play. And he was rewarded with a good try at the end.” Accies included Selkirk brothers Nyle and Ryan Godsmark in their side. But another Scotland Sevens star, Mark Robertson, from Melrose, who was due to start for the capital club pulled out with an upset stomach just three hours before kick-off.

Accies Head Coach Phil Leck said: “We were close (to getting a win) over at the Greenyards and we thoroughly expected to turn them (Melrose) over today but, to be fair to them, they probably scrummaged a bit better than we did.

“They are the champions of Scotland and we’re on a big upwards learning curve so to come again close to them is good but not acceptable. We’re not accepting that, we’ll work hard, we’ve got a little bit of a break to lick our wounds and regroup to fight again.” Melrose: Fraser Thomson (captain); Damien Hoyland, James Johnstone, Scott Wight, Tito Mua; Austin Lockington, Murdo McAndrew; Nick Beavon, Richard Ferguson, Euan McQuillin, James Head, Lewis Carmichael, Andrew Nagle, Peter Eccles and Graeme Dodds. Replacements: Nicky Little, Ruaridh Knott, Bruce Colvine, Richard Mill and Joe Helps.