Melrose 45 - 23 Hawick: Melrose 'drop a level' but still too tall an order for depleted Hawick

MELROSE coach Craig Chalmers judged his team's performance to have dropped a level from its British and Irish Cup win at Nottingham - but with seven tries in this comprehensive win, it has to be argued that he is a hard taskmaster.

"Yes, it was a great result," he said. "But from the level we played the last few weeks (also against Llanelli], I thought that we dropped down today.

"Hawick put a lot of pressure on us at the breakdown and we need to improve in that area if we are to win any league titles. We never had the ball at the start of the second-half and there is a lot of work to be done yet."

The British and Irish Cup has been a real booster for Melrose, but Chalmers knows that all the hard work has still to be done on the domestic front, with Glasgow Hawks, Ayr and Currie the principal opponents for the Premiership title.

Melrose, who head next to Boroughmuir, know it will be tough, but Chalmers noted: "We have to get on with it."

Hawick's previous Premier A games were both losses, against Hawick YM and Selkirk, but they were still pleased with this display. "We were down to our last 20 players, and the boys gave 110 per cent," said coach Derek Armstrong. "There's maybe nothing to play for in some respects, but it's also a Borders derby game."

Hawick had no answer to the power and pace of Fraser Thomson, whose double brought up his 14th try of the season, while Scott Wight may be catching the eyes of other clubs with his accurate goal-kicking and enterprising outfield play.

Melrose's bold efforts were rewarded with two late Callum Anderson tries, and with Ben Allen back from injury, the backs have now acquired a real edge.

Melrose stay top of the championship as the title race hots up but Chalmers warned: "We don't expect any favours from anyone. But that title is the most important thing."

Armstrong added: "I hope Melrose go and win the title. They are a good side to watch and we want a Borders club to win the title."

Scorers: Melrose: Tries: Thomson (2), Anderson (2), Holborn, Wight, Mitchell. Cons: Wight (5). Hawick: Tries: Johnston, Murray, Lowrie. Con: Lowrie. Pens: G Hogg (2).

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, J Helps, B Allen; S Wight, R Chrystie; N Little, W Mitchell, G Holborn, G Elder, R Elder, J Dalziel, G Dodds, D Crawford. Subs: G. Innes, N Beavon, S. Johnston, S McCormick, C Hardie.

Hawick: C Murray; G Anderson, R Hutton, G Johnstone, S Anderson; G Hogg, G Cottrell; R Sutherland, L Gibson, S Linton, K Wilson, M Robertson, D Lowrie, N Mactaggart, B Neil. Subs: N Douglas, R Kiore, R Hogg, G Petrie, M Landels.