Melrose v Kelso 12/10/2024

Melrose v Kelso – 12/10/24

Round 7 of the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership produced a local derby played on a cool afternoon, initially in bright sunshine, but latterly with intermittent showers. With four minutes played Kelso won a penalty lineout in the Church Corner with the rolling maul crabbing right towards the posts where Terry Logan barrelled over for the opening try which was converted by Dwain Patterson. Jack Utterson and Patterson repeated this performance seven minutes later, this time from the opposite corner. Three minutes later Melrose opened their account when, from a pile of bodies on the Kelso line, Bruce Colvine retrieved the ball and dived over for a try to the left of the posts with Keiran Clark converting. With another three minutes played Luke Townsend chipped the ball ahead into the Kelso 22. Corey Goldsbrough gathered, juggled, then carried the ball over in the Town Corner for a try which Clark converted to level the scores. At 23 minutes Kelso progressed up-field passing left to Robbie Tweedie who ran up the far side eventually passing to Archie Barbour who dived into the Church Corner leaving Patterson with a difficult, but successful, conversion from the touch-line. Then, another three minutes later, Townsend kicked ahead, this time towards the Policeman’s Corner, where it was gathered by Clark. When he was caught by the Kelso defence he passed to Will Ferrie who, in turn, off-loaded to Angus Weir, backing up as a good forward should, who scored to the right of the posts with Clark converting. Twenty-eight minutes played with 6 tries and 42 points – not bad going for a local derby!

Half time – Melrose 21 Kelso 21.

The third quarter was a bit sterile with no points scored, but with the visitors playing slightly better rugby. Then, at 60 minutes, Hamish Weir fielded a Kelso kick ahead on the Melrose 22 and progressed up-field off-loading to Craig Fairbairn who advanced to the Kelso 22 and, as he was caught, passed right to Douglas Crawford who tore over the line to the left of the posts for the Melrose bonus point try converted by Clark. Five minutes later, from a scrum 5 on the Melrose line Bruce McNeil broke with the ball passing to Frankie Robson who returned the pass and McNeil scored the Kelso bonus point try which Patterson converted: scores level again! With no-side imminent Melrose were held up, illegally, over the Kelso line and Townsend kicked the penalty to return the lead to Melrose. Kelso pressed from the kick-off, but Roly Brett managed an interception and the ball was duly dispatched out of play to end an interesting game of rugby.

Melrose 31 Kelso 28.

Melrose – Hamish Weir, Corey Goldsbrough, Matty Klein, Roly Brett, Keiran Clark, Luke Townsend, Bruce Colvine, Will Owen, Logan Kirk, Jack Dobie, Angus Weir, Angus Runciman©, Will Ferrie, Finlay Sinclair, Ruairidh Lindsay. Replacements – Ben White, Andrew Kirk, Craig Greer, Morgan Gabe, Craig Fairbairn, Douglas Crawford, Jack Wilks.

Kelso – Archie Barbour, Dwain Patterson, Adam Hall, Frankie Robson, Robbie Tweedie, Liam Herdman, Niklas Stingl, Grant Sheills, Nicholas Barnes, Terry Logan, Cameron Thompson, Keith Melbourne, Jack Utterson, Murray Woodcock, Bruce McNeil. Replacements – Euan Knox, Angus McGregor, Ashton Asante, Isaac Coates, William Tweedie, Alex Orr, Angus Utterson.

Referee – Ruairidh Campbell. Assistants – Jayme McGoldrick & Willie Anderson.

Thanks to Andy Mclean for this week’s photos!