Melrose deny players threw beer cans

Published on Thursday 28 May 2009 22:57

MELROSE have dismissed claims that their players were involved in the can-throwing incident at the Greenyards during this year's Mathon Melrose Sevens final.

The claims were made this week in an anonymous letter sent to local media and the SRU and suggested that the Borders club were involved in a cover-up to avoid players being linked to the incident. Beer cans were thrown on to the field from behind the goal after Earl Lewis, of winners University of Johannesburg, scored the third try of a hat-trick.

Both Melrose and the SRU said complaints had been received from anyone. However, Melrose director of rugby Mike Dalgetty said that an investigation was still being carried out.

"The problem is identifying the culprits, so we and the police would be keen to hear from anyone who does have information about who may have been involved in this.

"The police and I have studied the tape of the incident, and while we can see that the cans come from a large group of supporters in fancy dress we have not been able to identify them. But the allegation that two Melrose players were involved is totally without foundation."