Second-half Melrose surge sees off Dundee

Dundee Rugby stormed into the lead at half-time in their National League One clash against Melrose on the third weekend of league club rugby.

But dreams of a secondever win at the famous Border citadel were ended by a second-half charge by the home side who powered through to a 35-16 win.

Dundee managed a 7-5 lead at the break through Isao Matacagi’s try and the conversion from Fraser McKay.

McKay’s penalty early in the second half saw them nosing in front 10-8.

But the stand-off was only able to add two more penalties as Melrose scored four tries in the second 40 to record their third win from three.

It was the same scoreline and also a defeat for Kirkcaldy in National Two, Stewarts Melville showing again the free-scoring promise they had in pre-season with the win.

The Blues’ try came from Marcus Saly, with skipper Fin Smith kicking the conversion and three penalties. Rhys Bonner reached his 100th appearance for the club in the game.

In the Duffus Park sunshine, Howe of Fife had the quality of rugby to match with a 12-try, 82-10 rout of West of Scotland in National League Three.

That’s 120 points in two home games and Howe have moved into third in the division.

They take on second place Lasswade in Edinburgh next week.

Lasswade, themselves, scored nearly a halfcentury in beating

Perthshire at the Inch, so it’s safe to say there could be a bit of scoring next week.

Shire had international ref JP Doyle with the whistle but despite scoring four tries and leading early on, they had no answer in the last hour.

Strathmore finally got their season started against the unbeaten league leaders Hillhead Jordanhill and went down 38-14.

Sadly, it will now be next month before Strath have their first home league game, but they’ll fancy their chances against a wounded West at Burnbrae next week.

Dunfermline’s long trip up to Orkney in Caledonia One proved fruitless with a 29-5 defeat, their first of the season to the powerful islanders.

Glenrothes were edged 18-17 at Carleton Park by Hillfoots, while Blairgowrie lost a 35-33 nailbiter to visitors Ellon.

In Caley Midlands Two, Panmure and Harris got started on league business at last with mixed returns.

Pannie held off Falkirk IIs 18-15 at Forthill, but Harris went down to Madras in St Andrews 20-12.

Dundee Uni Medics are two from two after a 28-21 win at Kinross, making both Forthill teams the only unbeaten outfits in the division.

In Caley Midlands Three, only Crieff & Strathearn and Dundee Rugby IIs have yet to taste defeat.

The Perthshire side had a week off while Dundee went to Dunfermline and won 38-33.