MELROSE 29 WATSONIANS 24

Defending champions mel rose maintained their pressure on Tennent’s Premiership leaders Ayr by securing a bonuspoint win over a Watsonians side that matched their opponents in the try count, writes Alan Lorimer.

But if the score profiles looked similar Melrose were sufficiently ahead in the forward battle to justify their win in this hugely competitive game. “Our front five did very well today,” said Melrose coach Rob

Chrystie who, while watching his side accrue a further five points, had his Saturday made even better by the return of centre Craig Jackson for the last quarter.

“Craig’s recovered from his arm injury. We just need to drip him back in. It’s his leadership in this group of players that is so important,” added Chrystie.

Also pleasing for the coach was the current form of hooker Russell Anderson, who scored two tries from Melrose’s potent weapon, the driving maul.

Namesake Patrick Anderson was also on the scoresheet, finishing off a move he initiated.

The fourth and final Melrose

try was a close-range effort by Conor Young, who was switched from his tighthead position to the second row, after James Head withdrew.

For Watsonians, centre DJ Innes scored a brace of tries, the others coming from teenagers, Conor Boyle and Harry Fisher.

Others to impress for Watsonians were scrum half Murray Scott and replacement centre Rory Hutton.

Despite a number of crucial decisions going against his side, Watson ian s coach steve lawrie refused to blame officialdom. “We simply weren’t quite good enough today,” he conceded.