Melrose 49 - 11 Boroughmuir: Melrose drop 'second half slump' syndrome

Melrose put their championship challenge in the frame with a sensational performance against Boroughmuir at the Greenyards that blended attacking brilliance with organised defence, limiting the visitors to one touchdown.

Crowd pleaser: Full-back Fraser Thomson heads for the line to score one of Melrose's eight tries, to the delight of the fans. Photograph: Phil Wilkinson

Crucially for Melrose there was also the banishment of the second half slump syndrome which has dogged the Greenyards side in recent matches. In fact Melrose distributed their eight tries equally, never allowing themselves to sit on their lead and producing some wonderful rugby in the closing minutes.

For Boroughmuir the margin of defeat was a confidence blow. Yet for much of the game the Meggetland side played some delightful rugby but against a Melrose team in top defensive form there was little way forward .

Melrose were always in command after building up a 29-6 interval lead with two tries for full back Fraser Thomson and one apiece from flanker John Dalziel and Wayne Mitchell, the hooker's 85th try, setting a club record for a forward.

Muir's misery continued in the second half when Jamie Murray intercepted to score in the corner. Fortunately Muir were able to show their scoring power with a close-range try from lock Greg Scott.

Gary Elder used his pace to blaze in for try number six and a brace from their talented openside Grant Runciman completed an unforgettable display.

Scorers: Melrose: Tries: Thomson 2, Dalziel, Mitchell, Murray, Elder, Runciman 2. Cons: Wight 3. Pens: Wight. Boroughmuir: Tries: Scott. Pens: Warnock 2.

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, E Ford, A Dodds; S Wight, R Chrystie; N Little, W Mitchell, G Holborn, G Elder, H Mitchell, J Dalziel, G Runciman, G Dodds. Subs used: G Innes, N Beavon, R Miller, S McCormick, C Jackson.

Boroughmuir: S Ruddick; R Neill, M Clapperton, H Leonard, R Cairns; A Warnock, S Johnson; R Hislop, S Crombie, N Fraser, G Scott, A Davidson, A Rose, N Rodger, J Doubleday. Subs used: G Jones, J Latta, D O'Riordan, H Jones, R Samson.

Referee: A Healey (GHA).