Glasgow Hawks 17

Melrose 34

Stuart Bathgate (offsideline.com)

at Scotstoun

AS the league table shows, Melrose have been a model of consistency so far this season – and one of the distinguishing features of a consistent team is the ability to win in a variety of ways.

Rob Chrystie’s team can overpower opponents with relentless running rugby, but against Glasgow Hawks in one of the only two Premiership games to survive the bad weather it was their dominance in the maul that gave them their 12th bonus-point win from 12 outings.

Head coach Chrystie said: “I thought we played some really nice stuff.

“I’d like to think that we can play in a few different ways, and we showed that again today.

"Great credit to Glasgow Warriors too for getting the game on – it’s good to see the co-operation between Hawks and the pro club.”

Melrose opening score came after eight minutes when Nyle Godsmark all too easily powered his way through a tackle and over the line.

Craig Jackson was wide with the conversion attempt, but Melrose were soon back on the attack, thanks in part to a misfiring Hawks lineout.

Ruaridh Knott bulldozed his way over the line – only to be held up by a superb defensive effort.

A second try duly arrived with half an hour on the clock - Russell Anderson crashing over for a score which this time was converted.

The pattern of play changed in the minutes before half-time, as Melrose lock Angus Runciman was sinbinned for a high tackle, and Hawks made it count through Grant Stewart.

Ross Thompson missed the conversion and was also wide with a long-distance penalty attempt a couple of minutes later.

But Hawks kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a second try in time added on through Stewart.

Restored to their full complement Melrose resumed their domination in the second half, and another pushover score by Anderson, converted off the post by Jackson, extended their lead after 45 minutes.

Anderson claimed the fourth try - and his third - with another drive-over just as the game entered its final quarter.

Kyle Rowe collected a kick ahead to run in a score for Hawks.

Melrose, however, soon made the game safe with, inevitably, another drive-over try, this time scored by Grant Runciman.

The try went unconverted, and that 12th bonus-point win out of 12 was in the bag.

Jackson added a penalty with the last kick of the game to take Melrose’s final tally to double that of Hawks.

Melrose: F Thomson; G Taylor, N Godsmark, C Jackson, R McCann; J Baggott, M McAndrew; G Shiels, R Anderson, N Beavon, A Runciman, I Moody, R Knott, G Runciman, A Miller. Substitutes: R Ferguson, D Elkington, A Grieve, B Colvine, P Anderson.