Melrose embark on new season with BT Charity Shield

Melrose defeated Heriot’s 36-7 at Goldenacre to lift the BT Charity Shield, the first piece of silverware for the 2016/17 BT Premiership season. Wet conditions proved difficult for both teams in the opening stages but it was the Borders side who looked the most threatening, in a match which marked the return of Rio 2016 referee, Mike Adamson.Melrose scored three tries during the first-half with neat interchanges from the back-line causing problems for the Goldenacre defence.The home side crossed for a solitary score before half-time, but Melrose continued to dominate after the interval with a further three tries sealing victory.Melrose Head Coach, Rob Chrystie, said: “Winning the BT Charity Shield is a great start to the new season for us and will give us immense confidence going into next week’s game against Boroughmuir.We attacked well from kick-off and the new faces in the squad showed their talent, it was great to get my first win as head coach of the team.”The visitors took the lead through Murdo McAndrew, after the scrum-half received from debutant Ross McCann from five metres out in midfield, before George Taylor converted in the 21st minute.Fraser Thomson made a scintillating break from deep inside Melrose’s half, punting the ball down the line to assist flanker Neil Irvine-Hess in scoring come the 30 minute-mark.McCann was involved once again, this time down the right wing, combining with centre Taylor to great effect who darted over after brushing off a wall of defence.Heriots crossed after pressuring during the final stages of the first-half, newcomer Callum Marshall making the most of a scrum five metres out.Half-time: Heriot’s 7-17 MelroseAfter the break, Jason Baggott gathered from out-half to make his way over the whitewash with a strong run, before Ruaridh Knott showed speed in attack to score after Melrose captain Bruce Colvine threatened.Heriot’s showed glimpses of their form from last season towards the closing stages with Russell Nimmo and Michael Liness making ground.Iain Moody crossed for Melrose’s sixth try off the back of a scrum with minutes on the clock, before a complete performance was sealed by Baggott’s conversion.Full-time: Heriot’s 7-36 MelroseReferee: Mike AdamsonMan-of-the-match: Iain Moody (Melrose)Heriot’s: Gavin Parker; John Rae, Josh Laird, Donald Crawford, Charlie Simpson; Alex Hagart, Andrew Simmers; Martin Bouab, Michael Liness CAPTAIN, Struan Cessford, Russell Nimmo, Clarke Smith, Alex Henderson, Jack McClean, Callum Marshall. Replacements: Dylan Mason, Ruaridh Mitchell, Tomas Lapyere, Logan Sinclair, Andrew Simmers, Rory Carmichael, Andy McLean.Melrose: Fraser Thomson; Austin Lockington, George Taylor, Craig Jackson, Ross McCann; Jason Baggot, Murdo McAndrew; Jamie Bhatti, Russell Anderson, Ruaridh McLeod, James Head, Ally Grieve, Neil Irvine-Hess, Grant Runciman CAPTAIN, Iain Moody. Replacements: Cammy McKay, Dan Elkington, Harry Borthwick, Ruaridh Knott, Bruce Colvine, Gavin Wood, Richard Taylor.