Glasgow Hawks 7

Melrose 49

Callum Hodgson

at Balgray

THE Melrose machine seems to be returning to full power following some back-firing at the start of the month.

And head coach Rob Chrystie admitted, after his team ran in seven tries, that he was satisfied with his day's work.

The ease of which Melrose would win wasn't apparent early on at Balgray as Hawks opened brightly.

But Liam Burns pushed his early penalty just wide of the posts.

Melrose began to gain some momentum and just after the quarter hour Russell Anderson burst through a gap in the home defence.

Struan Hutchison added the conversion.

Just three minutes later an excellent collect from Bruce Colvine allowed Rory Darge to race over for a second try.

Hutchison pushed the visitors 14 points ahead.

But, just when it seemed to be going to plan, a yellow card for Anderson allowed Hawks to gain a foothold.

A driving maul was clinically finished by Gary Strain and Liam Brims reduced the deficit to one score with the conversion.

There wasn't a lot between the sides, even with Melrose back to full compliment, but on the stroke of half time Patrick Anderson showed a great turn of pace to race in for a third score.

Again Hutchison was on target with the conversion for a 21-7 advantage.

Hawks attempted to find a way back into the match with some drives early in the second period, but it was Melrose who were to increase their advantage in the 51st minute.

James Head appeared from beneath the forwards drive for the bonus-point score.

And the floodgates suddenly opened.

Jason Baggot raced away for a fifth score just five minutes later - again converted by Hutchison.

Another driving maul allowed Russell Anderson to score his second try of the day.

And in the closing stages the highly-impressive Patrick Anderson showed another lethal turn of foot to finish off a fine handling move.

While the firsts were running in 49 points, Melrose's second string went even better at GHA - the Storm chalking up 59 points in their victory over GHA.

Melrose: F Thomson; B Colvine, G Taylor, G Wood, P Anderson; S Hutchison, M McAndrew; G Shiels, R Anderson, R McLeod, J Head, I Moody, N Irvine-Hess, R Darge, S Lawson. Replacements: F Scott, C Young, G Runciman, J Baggott, I Sim.