Melrose 29 - 23 Edinburgh Accies: Rose condemn Accies to the B league

EDINBURGH Accies will play the second half of the season in Premiership B after their hopes of being in the top eight evaporated with defeat in Melrose.

Accies, of course, have a second lifeline in Premiership B, to grab one of the two places that could make them part of next season’s ten-team top flight. And, if they can maintain or better the form they showed yesterday, then they will have a good chance of clinching one of the promotion places.

“We’ve had experience of Premiership B and we understand how difficult it will be especially against the top sides from Division 2,” said Accies coach Simon Cross. “This is a young team and that makes me optimistic.”

For Melrose, victory yesterday was vital in the wake of two successive away defeats and having achieved it with a 5-2 try advantage will certainly boost confidence ahead of next weekend’s showdown with Gala.

Melrose were one score short of their bonus point when they led 17-13 at the break with tries from winger Allan Dodds, stand-off Scott Wight and prop Nick Beavon and one conversion from Wight to a try for Accies by full-back Jamie Sole and the conversion goal and two penalty goals from outside half Ruairidh Bonner.

The champions then opened up a gap with a second-half try from skipper Graham Dodds from a clever cross kick by Wight, only for Accies to hit back with a try by winger Jake Knight converted by replacement Euan Bonner.

A second try by Graham Dodds and the conversion by replacement Andrew Skeen gave Melrose breathing space, Accies only reward for later pressure being a penalty from Bonner that earned a deserved bonus point.