Kelso 33

Melrose 30

IT was a case of so near, yet so far for Melrose on Saturday at Poynder Park.

After going behind by 19 points during a rampant opening from the home team, Melrose almost snatched a dramatic victory in the closing stages.

After conceding three tries in the opening quarter of an hour, Donald Crawford steadied the ship with a penalty.

Kieran Clark raced in for a try just a few minutes later to reduce the deficit to 19-8.

But Kelso's powerful pack continued to cause problems and they scored another try on the half hour.

The teams exchanged tries before the interval for Kelso to go in with a 33-15 advantage.

Another Crawford penalty at the start of the second half kept Melrose in with a slim chance.

And when Archie Spencer touched down just after the hour it was game on.

Clark showed his pace again in the closing stages to cross for another score.

Crawford's conversion reduced the gap to just three points with six or seven minutes remaining.

Despite late pressure on the Kelso line, the hosts held on.