BT Premiership ROUND-UP: Melrose win battle at the top

Melrose 27-10 Ayr The final round of BT Premiership competition before the Christmas break witnessed a top of the table clash between Melrose and Ayr at The Greenyards. Melrose, first in the table, overcame second placed Ayr 27-10 to move five points clear at the top after an impressive second-half display tipped the balance in favour of the hosts.The early stages exhibited signs of nerves from both teams and it was a yellow card for Ayr flanker Will Bordill, which looked to have given Melrose the upper hand and plenty of possession.However, the hosts failed to capitalise on the number advantage and it wasn’t long before Ayr drew blood through a well-struck penalty from stand-off Ross Curle in the 19th minute.Moments later, Melrose were handed the opportunity to hit back with three points of their own and it was Craig Jackson who effortlessly sailed the ball through the posts.The hosts began to build momentum in attack and with a sharp break from centre George Taylor and a well-timed pass out to Austin Lockington, the wing charged down the right and side stepped the final defender to see his way over in the 27th minute. Jackson added the conversion.Ayr responded with several efforts from the forwards, George Hunter and Blair Macpherson making their presence known to the Melrose wall, while Curle threatened with some midfield jinks of his own.However, the Melrose defence stood tall and the scores remained 10-3 to the Borders side at the break.After the interval, an early penalty for Melrose extended their lead with Jackson taking advantage on a simple shot in front of the sticks.Ayr sensed the momentum swinging in favour of the hosts and began to ramp up their attack with several counters from the pack resulting in their first try through captain Pete McCallum, who barged over the line in the 52nd minute. Curle added the extras.A second yellow for Bordill resulted in Aye having to see out the game with 14 men with 20 minutes on the clock.Melrose capitalised moments later, Russell Anderson crashed through the Ayr defence from metres out before Jackson converted from the right.Curle then saw yellow for Ayr and with a two-man advantage, Melrose struck again through replacement Ruairi McLeod who delivered off solid line-out ball with Jackson once again adding the points.Minutes later the final whistle blew to wrap-up an enticing match between two of the leagues top performers with Melrose reversing their earlier defeat to Ayr in round five of the competition.Referee: Keith AllenMelrose: Fraser Thomson; Ross McCann, Nyal Godsmark, George Taylor, Austin Lockington; Craig Jackson, Murdo Mcandrew; Jamie Bhatti, Russell Anderson, Nick Beavon, James Head, Lewis Carmichael, Neil Irvine Hess, Grant Runciman CAPTAIN, Ruaridh Knott. Replacements: Cammy Mckay, Ruairi McLeod, Ian Moody, Struan Hutchison, Sam Pecqueur.Ayr: Grant Anderson; Richard Dalgleish, Archie Russell, Danny McCluskey, Cameron Taylor; Ross Curle, David Armstrong; George Hunter, Pat MacArthur, Adam Prentice, Blair Macpherson, Robert McAlpine, Adam Ashe, Will Bordill, Pete McCallum CAPTAIN. Replacements: James Malcolm, Djustice Sears-Duru, Lewis Anderson, Jamie Bova, Stafford McDowall.  Currie 23-22 Watsonians  Currie: Tries: Ben Robbins (20), Ratu Tagive (26). Conversions: Rory Clegg (20, 26). Penalties: Rory Clegg (3, 13, 88). Half-time: Currie 20-12 Watsonians  Watsonians: Tries: Sean Crombie (33), Andrew Chalmers (40), Calum Eastwood (49). Conversions: Andrew Chalmers (40, 49). Penalty: Andrew Chalmers (44).Gala 22-29 Stirling County  Gala: Tries: Gary Adams, George Lott, Ross Combe. Conversions: Gregor Hunter (2). Penalties: Gregor Hunter. Half-time: Gala 10-5 Stirling County  Stirling County: Tries: Matt Donaldson, Langilangi Haupeakui, Adam Sinclair, Hamilton Burr. Conversions: Jonny Hope (3). Penalties: Jonny Hope. Glasgow Hawks 19-14 Heriot’s Glasgow Hawks: Tries: Kerr Gossman (7). Conversions: Josh Henderson (7). Penalties: Josh Henderson (29); Hagan Schulte (50, 58, 68). Half-time: Glasgow Hawks 10-11 Heriot’s Heriot’s: Tries: Gavin Parker (39). Penalties: Alex Hagart (11,19, 43).Boroughmuir 26-21 Hawick Boroughmuir: Try: Aubrey Mncube (2), Craig Keddie, Greg Cannie. Conversions: Chris Laidlaw (2), Dougie Steele.Half-time: Boroughmuir 19-6 Hawick Hawick: Try: Darcy Graham (2). Conversions: Darcy Graham. Penalties: Matt Douglas (3).  *The BT Premiership returns on Saturday 14 January 2017