BT Premiership ROUND-UP: Rose in full bloom against Currie Chieftains

30 Sep 2017

Melrose recorded their fifth successive victory and another bonus point as they overpowered visitors Currie Chieftains at the Greenyards this afternoon (41-10).

The Borders outfit were a force to be reckoned with from the get-go as they quickly found their stride when Ross McCann scampered over the line in the first five minutes.

Melrose set a high-tempo and dominated possession throughout the first half, and were able to capitalise with Neil Irvine-Hess charging down over the line to add to the scoreboard.

Currie were provided with a further headache when Luke Crosbie was sent to the sin-bin for collapsing the maul.

Despite being a man down, however, Currie’s spirit wasn’t diminished as they were able to build pressure in the opposition’s territory which resulted in a successful penalty by Jamie Forbes.

Half-Time: Melrose 10 – 3 Currie Chieftains

In the second-half, Melrose were able to assert their control from the restart, as a handling error by Currie allowed the Borderers to mount an attack in the 22, with Fraser Thomson nudging the team further ahead with a try.

Jackson slotted the conversion through the posts to extend the gap for Melrose.

Currie’s charging attack was repeatedly brought to a halt as Melrose’s aggressive defence prevented them from crossing over the whitewash.

Melrose full-back Thomson – who posed a threat anytime he carried the ball – provided a clean pass to McCann who weaved through the defence to score and seal the bonus point for Melrose.

Nimble winger McCann went on to complete a hat-trick of tries as he weaved his way through the defence to score.

Melrose began to make further ground with a well-executed driving maul that resulted in replacement Richard Ferguson crashing down for a short-range try.

Currie shortly afterwards salvaged a score as flanker Thomas Gordon led a rapid counter attack up the midfield before offloading to Harvey Elms to score the first try of the game for the visitors.

Following another series of sustained pressure by the home side, the ball found the winger McCann who put his foot down on the gas to bring it home and claim the fifth successive victory for Melrose.

Full-Time: Melrose 41 – 10 Currie Chieftains

Elsewhere, Boroughmuir edged out Marr in a thriller as they secured their first win of the season, while defending champions Ayr continued their return to form as they defeated Stirling County.

Heriot’s continue to climb up the standings as they claimed victory over Watsonians on Friday night, and Glasgow Hawks overcame Hawick in a fierce battle at Balgray.