Melrose v Watsonian FC

Melrose v Watsonians – 14/9/24

Round 3 of the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership was played on a dull and drizzly afternoon with a stiff breeze blowing the length of the pitch. Watsonians had the benefit of the breeze in the first half, but it took 21 minutes before there was any scoring. Freddie Owsley made the break and the supporting Josh Mitchell completed the move with a try in from the Church Corner with Jason Baggott converting. Four minutes later Melrose retaliated with Angus Runciman completing a penalty lineout rolling maul with an unconverted try in the Policeman’s Corner. At 33 minutes Watsonians took a quick tap penalty to the left of the Melrose posts with Lewis Berg completing a series of plays to score, with Baggott converting, to the right of the posts. Then, just on the break, Baggott intercepted a pass within the Watsonian 22 and, having raced most of the length of the pitch, off-loaded to Owsley who completed the run with a try at the posts with Baggott adding the extras.

Half time – Melrose 5 Watsonians 21

The second half was scoreless, with both defences predominating, until 75 minutes when Cal Davies completed a penalty lineout rolling maul for an unconverted bonus point try in the Town Corner. With the no-side whistle imminent a Melrose guddle pass was intercepted close to the line and after a handling move Ross Stanley nipped into the Town Corner for an unconverted try which ended the match.

Melrose 5 Watsonians 31

Melrose Man of the Match - Angus Runciman

Melrose – Hamish Weir, Corey Goldsbrough, Keiran Clark, Matthew Klein, Robin Sharp, Roly Brett, Bruce Colvine, Will Owen, Harri Morris, Zen Szwagrzak, Thomas Brown, Angus Runciman©, Will Ferrie, Ben McLean, Ruairidh Lindsay. Replacements – Logan Kirk, Jack Dobie, Andrew Kirk, Angus Weir, Jack Wilks, Cameron Robertson, Matty Bertram.

Watsonians – Freddie Owsley, Lomond Macpherson, Lewis Berg, Jason Baggott, Josh Mitchell, Chris Bell, Murray Scott, Craig Davidson, Cal Davies, Tom Gracie, Luis Ball, Andrew McInnes, Kwagga van Niekerk, Andrew Stephens, Neil Irvine-Hess. Replacements – Matthew Marshall, Lochlan Morris, Matt Pritchard, James Milligan, Ross Stanley, Connon Steele, Harry Fisher.

REFEREE – Michael Todd. Assistants - John Beaton Hawryluk & Kevin McGhee.

A Gallery of Match Photos, courtesy of Andy Mclean