Stylish Melrose turn on the power
● Ruthless display in first half earns Borderers a place in title decider
Melrose powered their way into the Premiership final with a stylish victory planned meticulously before the players took to the field at The Greenyards.
The hosts exploited their forward dominance with three tries in the opening 17 minutes and coach Robert Chrystie said: “We knew that it would be a tough game. A lot of the preparation had been done. We put a plan together and the boys executed it very well.”
As against Stirling, Melrose gave their opponents a 3-0 lead before pressing home their experience up front to lead 22-3 at the interval.
“If you give the opposition a sniff, it becomes really difficult,” added Chrystie. “We could really have put them to bed in the first half and we did not quite get over the line.
“It was a little different to the style we have seen in the past few weeks and we decided to try and put a wee marker early doors. It was a good performance and the place is buzzing. We will continue what we are doing and it will be a cracker against Ayr [in the final].”
Ross Weston, who was playing his final game for Currie after 12 seasons at Malleny Park, said that, while his team had lost, he had no regrets on his decision and had not decided yet on his rugby future.
On the game, he said: “It was disappointing to lose but Melrose played really well. They blew us away in the first half and we were always chasing the game after that. They were more clinical and have strengths all over the park.
“We came a bit undone but to reach the play-offs showed the immense character of the guys, who will get better and better.”
Melrose responded quickly to Jamie Forbes’ early penalty with a quick drive and try from Ruairdh Knott and a brace of scores from Nyle Godsmark.
Austin Lockington’s score put the contest beyond Ayr midway through the second half before tries by Weston and Robbie Nelson, the first converted by Forbes, that were mere consolations.
Ally Grieve notched the final score and Jason Baggot completed the contest with his third penalty to add to his four conversions.