Melrose 50

Watsonians 27

David Morrison

at Annay Road

MELROSE swatted away the threat from Watsonians on Saturday with a blistering end to this League One match.

There was plenty of open rugby from both teams throughout a pulsating 80 minutes.

But, just when it looked like the home team could be in trouble, they stepped up a gear to score four unanswered tries in the closing 25 minutes.

Coach Stuart Johnson said: "I've told the players that I'm pleased with the way we took our tries today but I'm far from happy with the 27 points we conceded.

"On another day conceding the way we did could be costly."

An early David Colvine penalty gave Melrose the lead.

But Watsonians responded with Donald Kennedy touching down at the other end.

The conversion extended their lead.

Melrose, though, were quickly on top, and Richard Fergusson touched down at the back of a forwards drive.

Gary McWilliam also scored a try as Melrose showed great speed on the attack.

Colvine's and Kerr Stoddart kept the scoreboard ticking over as they exchanged a couple of penalties each.

At half time Rose led by 21-13.

But it was the Edinburgh side who dictated the early exchanges in the second half.

Willie Thomson and Harry Fisher both scored for the visitors as they turned pressure into points.

With both tries converted, and all Melrose had to show for the opening quarter hour was a Colvine penalty, Watsonians were 27-24 to the good.

The home crowd were baying for a response and they got one.

Chris Raymond raced across the whitewash after some great handling.

Trystan Andrews went in at the far corner for his try before James Brown also collected the ball to go over.

Donald Crawford completed the scoring with a breakaway try to complete an impressive comeback.

all crossed the whitewash to complete a 50-27 home win.

“I am happy with scoring 50 points, we scored from all over the park and you can’t argue with that, but we aren’t happy with the 27 points we leaked and have said that to the players,” said Melrose head coach Stuart Johnson.