Llanelli 24 - 9 Melrose: Borderers keep it competitive on bigger stage

MELROSE stretched their personal targets to new limits despite defeat in their third British-Irish Cup match at a rainswept Carmarthen.

"We want to play against the big teams and test ourselves against the best opposition and we are doing that in this competition," said President Mike Dalgetty.

Melrose battled competitively in the horrendous conditions, handled well and were well worth their three Scott Wight penalties despite losing the try-count 3-0.

But the final scoreline also showed the progress that the Scottish side had made despite the Welsh XV collecting three yellow cards.

"The more games we get at this level the better, and it is how we perform and stand up to the opponents is what it is all about," Dalgetty added - and they did that in front of a vociferous home crowd.

On this performance, against Llanelli's 2nd XV, Melrose are closing the gap, but with only one professional, David Denton, allocated to the squad, they have to rely heavily on their home-grown squad.

Yet Melrose, with a defeat by Munster and a win over Esher behind them, the Scottish championship leaders are grooming for the future despite facing pain in the Welsh Valleys.

The game, played on a narrow pitch in a gale force wind and driving rain, was always going to be decided by dogged physicality and Llanelli used it to full advantage with a penalty by Steve Shingler, who also converted Matt Gilbert's try in the opening eight minutes.

Scott Wight cut the deficit before Graeme Dodds and Aaron Shingler were sin-binned after a bout of fisticuffs.

A great tackle by Jamie Murray denied Llanelli a try after Steve Shingler broke the defence and Melrose had to defend well until Fraser Thomson broke to well over halfway.

But the pressure told, and with three minutes to half-time Aaron Shingler went over from close range and Steve Shingler converted.

There was controversy when Gareth Davies became the second Llanelli player to be yellow-carded and was still on the field when play resumed.

Melrose had the wind after the break and Wight added his second penalty, but failed when Gilbert was the third Llanelli player to be sent to the sin-bin.

Wight converted his third penalty to keep Melrose in the hunt, but Liam Williams' try, converted by Steve Shingler, ended the brave Borders challenge.

Scorers: Llanelli: Tries: Gilbert, A Shingler, Williams. Cons: S Shingler 3. Pens: S Shingler. Melrose: Pens: Wight 3.

Llanelli: D Newton; J Lewis, N Renolds C Keenan J James; S Shingler, G Davies; S Hopkins, C Hawkins, A Hopkins, A Powell, D Day, A Shingler, N Cudd, M Gilbert. Subs: A Beaujean, R Lawrence, N White, D Eager, A Davies, I Evans, L Williams.

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, J Helps, C Hardie; S Wight, R Chrystie; N Little, W Mitchell, G Holborn, J Dalziel, G Elder, D Denton, G Dodds, G Runciman. Subs: R Higgins, G Innes, R Miller, S Johnson, S McCormick, C Jackson, E Ford.

Referee: R Kelly.