Heriot’s 22 - 25 Melrose: Melrose edge eight-try thriller

Published on 02/12/2012 01:16

Melrose returned to winning ways when a never-say-die Heriot’s fell agonisingly short as the teams shared eight tries in a great game of rugby, writes William Paul at Goldenacre.

Heriot’s went 12 points ahead in the first quarter with tries by skipper Graham Wilson and winger Colin Goudie. Melrose finally got as far as the Heriot’s line in the 23rd minute and prop Struan 
Cessford was yellow-carded for going offside at the ruck.

Melrose took the line-out option and the maul rolled over with Melrose No 8 Andrew Nagle claiming the try. Joe Helps added a penalty and from the restart Melrose full-back Fraser Thomson caught the ball, sprinted up the left touchline, kicked ahead and touched down to give Melrose a single-point lead at half time.

Melrose’s third try was not long in coming after the Heriot’s defence was sucked in by a series of close-quarter charges at the line which eventually created the overlap and 
enabled Thomson to go over.

Heriot’s hit back with centre Max Learmonth sliding in at the left corner to make it only a one point game again. Minutes later, though, Heriot’s were back in front when Learmonth switched sides to dive over for a mirror image try on the right.

Melrose didn’t lie down, though. In a frantic finish, replacement stand off Andrew Skeen got the try and conversion that clinched it.