Melrose 35 - 37 Dundee HSFP: Dundee’s late show sinks nervy Melrose

Taysiders had looked a spent unit going into the final quarter.

It very much appeared that Dundee, despite a brisk start, were suffering from a lack of competitive games during the Premiership break, as they struggled to match the instinctive rugby of their quicker opponents, resulting in Melrose running in three first half tries by Ross Ovens, Fraser Thomson and Bruce Colvine for a 28-9 interval lead, Dundee’s points having come from three penalty goals by their Scotland under 20 squad member, Jack Steele.

Melrose achieved their bonus point and what should have been the decisive score after the break with a try and conversion by Skeen which left Dundee trailing 35-9 and seemingly heading for an inglorious defeat.

But then the drama unfolded as Dundee took advantage of a mental switch-off by Melrose to build up a head of steam that produced a converted try for Richie Hawkins. From then on the Mayfield men dominated play, using their bigger forwards to pressure the Melrose defence.

The turning point, however, was a yellow card shown to Melrose prop Chris Keen and which promptly resulted in Dundee forcing the home side to concede a penalty try at a scrum, giving Brown a second conversion goal.

It still seemed that Dundee would fall short of the points total they needed only for their hopes to be raised again when skipper Neil Dymock bundled over for try number three, again converted by Brown to bring the scoreline to 35-30.

Melrose were now beginning to panic. Could the unthinkable happen or would they be saved by the final whistle? Sadly for Melrose injury time lasted long enough to give Dundee one further tilt at their opponents’ line, ending with a try in the corner for Cameron Wyper. It needed Brown to win the game and from the touchline the former under 20 Scotland player landed the winning goal to leave his team mates hysterical with joy and Melrose wondering just how such a calamity could have unfolded.