Mccann cashes in with a treble as Melrose turn breaks into points

MELROSE 37 8

Five tries, three by winger Ross Mccann, steered Melrose into the final match of the Premiership against Ayr on the perfect afternoon at The Greenyards for running rugby.

“It was a very good performance and the boys did well,” said coach Rob Chrystie. “Watsonians had the ball for long periods of time, but our defence was pretty sound. We created opportunities and scored tries, but we also pride ourselves in our defence.

“Watsonians kept the ball a lot, and when we did break, we did very well. But there were still things we can work on and get better.”

Mccann, who has twice scored three tries in one game, was given the opportunity to cash in on the dry and sunny conditions. “It was good to get our form back after our defeat at Hawick,” he said. “It is nine or ten games since I scored, so I thought I was due some!” Watsonians admitted that they had no qualms about the result.

“Melrose were really good at contact and managed the

0 Ross Mccann: Second triple. game very well,” said coach Steve Lawrie. “We need to be a bit more mature in what we are doing and Melrose were the better side. When they turned the ball over, they scored their tries and the game got away from us.”

It was Melrose’s ability to turn the pressure into points that swung the game in their favour as Watsonians, 3-17 down at half-time, were always playing catch-up rugby.

Despite being given a yellow card, captain Craig Jackson was a key player in the performance, converting three tries and kicking two penalties.

The defence, too, proved crucial for Melrose, whose tackling thwarted most of what Watsonians could throw at them. And the pace of Mccann and Fraser Thomson was instrumental at the other end of the field.

The opening try by Russell Anderson followed a forwards’ drive to the line before Mccann intercepted a loose pass to run clear for the score to add to two Jackson conversions and penalty, with Ali Harris scoring a Watsonians penalty on the stroke of halftime.

Thomson’s try in 43 minutes virtually finished the contest despite a response from James Miller. But Melrose were in command and a Mccann double and Jackson penalty and conversion ended the contest.

The clubs face up again in the cup semi-final on Saturday. “Yes, we can compete then,” Lawrie added.