Melrose 38

Kelso 8

MELROSE opened their new chapter with an impressive victory on Saturday.

With 3G construction work continuing, the Greenyards is currently off limits for the club's amateur second string.

But Stuart Johnson's players quickly made themselves at home just a drop-kick away on Annay Road.

James Brown added to David Colvine's early penalty with a well-worked try.

But Kelso responded with a Craig Dods penalty to stay in contention.

In an open match, Trystan Andrews managed to race in for a second home score, which Colvine converted.

While the handling of Melrose had been impressive during the opening half hour, the third try was down to pure speed.

Kieran Clark found enough room to run from inside his own half to add a third try.

Kelso managed to close the gap just before the interval as Aaron Jackson squeezed in at the corner.

But there was to be no fightback as the home team saw out the second half. comfortably

Ben McLean went over just before the hour for the home team.

And in the closing stages Callum Crookshank rounded the defence for Melrose's final try.

Colvine's conversion made the final score 38-8.