Llandovery 34-12 Melrose: Welsh backing for clubs shows – Dalgety

MELROSE director of rugby Mike Dalgety believes this defeat highlights the lack of support from the Scottish Rugby Union for the RBS Premiership clubs.

MELROSE director of rugby Mike Dalgety believes this defeat highlights the lack of support from the Scottish Rugby Union for the RBS Premiership clubs.

Scorers: Llandovery – Tries: D Howells, L Phillips, R Williams, A Warren. Cons: J Garland (4 ). Pens: J Garland (2). Melrose – Tries: B Colvine, F Thomson. Con: A Skeen.

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Melrose were condemned to their fourth defeat in five games in the British & Irish Cup at 
Llandovery. But late tries by scrum-half Bruce Colvine and full-back Fraser Thomson, when they trailed 34-0, saved Dalgety’s side from their largest defeat of the season. He believes, though, that should not gloss over the difference in support from their respective unions. Dalgety said: “We weren’t up to our usual standards and have to accept that our basics on the day were not as good as theirs, so we have no complaints

“It’s a good competition but the big difference between what we do in Scotland and what the Welsh clubs do down here is obvious. Welsh sides seem to get more support from their union and they’re just more advanced. We’re a self-funded club and when you play against teams like Llandovery, the difference shows.”

Melrose were overpowered early on at Church Bank and trailed 27-0 at half-time after conceding five tries while Hamish Watson was binned for a professional foul. A rout looked on the cards when Llandovery scored a sixth but, to Melrose’s credit, they refused to lie down and softened the blow on the scoreboard with their late scores.

Llandovery: C Knight; J Randall, M Jacobs, J Roberts, A Warren; J Garland; R Williams; W Jones, T Ball, D Howells, B Griffiths, Ll Jones, P Day, S Miles, L Phillips (capt). Subs used: P Edwards, D Williams, M Harbut, R Brooks, L Lewis, L Rees, C Rees.

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, A Letham, R Mill, J Helps; A Skeen; B Colvine; N Little, A Walker, G Holborn, P Eccles, R Miller, J Dalziel, H Watson, A Nagle. Subs used: R Ferguson, C Keen, R Ovens, S Lowe, S McCormick, B Dick, J Murray.

Referee: S Brickell.

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