Melrose 69 - 11 Dundee HSFP: Melrose's most wanted seals demolition of visiting Dundee

FULL-BACK Fraser Thomson reminded the Greenyards of his finishing ability with a fine hat-trick that put the seal on a statement by Melrose on Saturday that no matter how long they need to wait they are only getting better as the championship title looms into view.

But it could prove to be the last occasion when the Melrose faithful are delighted by Thomson's talent on their home patch in XVs, before he moves into the professional game. The 21-year-old from Galashiels has been the most consistent try-scorer in the top flight of Scottish rugby over the last two seasons, taking his tally to 35 in that time on Saturday, and with neither Edinburgh nor Glasgow taking a punt on him, and no Borders pro outfit around these days, Aviva Premiership club Sale have moved in.

Thomson headed south for a trial with the club last week and scored in a reserve win over Northampton's second-string and has been invited back. The Edgeley Park club retains a Scottish connection with owner Brian Kennedy still in charge and Stevie Scott, the former Melrose and Gala hooker and Scotland assistant coach, and Scotland defence coach Graham Steadman on the backroom staff.

Thomson said: "I really enjoyed it and it would be great to go into the professional game, but it's early days. We'll have to wait and see. I played on the wing; they had a Samoan international at full-back, and we won 39-17. It was a great experience and I felt I fitted in alright.

"I'm going back down on Easter Monday and we'll see what happens."

Thomson was in the SRU sights as a teenager, but he quit the academy as he struggled to combine university studies with academy work, and find any time to do what he really loved, which was play rugby.

It is unknown whether he can make it in pro rugby, but he surely deserves a shot. On Saturday, Thomson took his Melrose tally for the season to 19 in 18 games, which beats last year's total of 16, but is still shy of his best in a Gala jersey, which was 35, albeit the Maroons were then in Premier Three.

Next season, they will be back in the top flight, which is another reason why Thomson might prefer to be somewhere else.

In truth, Melrose had the game well wrapped up by the time Thomson went over for his first try on the hour-mark, in glorious sunshine at the Greenyards, but he and Edinburgh wing Lee Jones were key parts in that.

Dundee were nowhere near as poor as the final result might suggest, working hard in the tight and taking Melrose on in the scrum, and showing ambition with ball in hand, epitomised by stand-off Rick McKenna.

But they fell victim to what appears to be a Scottish curse in recent times, spoiling good build-up play with the wrong decision or poor execution in the last third, in the face of terrific defence admittedly, and had to rely on two McKenna penalties to keep in touch.

Melrose knew what they were after, however, and were alert to the mere sniff of try chances that could yet ensure that even if they lose their final league match with Ayr in a fortnight, they could still claim the championship on bonus points or points difference - a belt-and-buckle approach that coach Craig Chalmers is sure to appreciate.

Lee Jones, Joe Helps and Graeme Dodds went over in the first period, for the hosts to lead 20-6 at half-time. The Dundonians, missing a host of key backs to injury, eventually got the reward for their hard work with Richie Hawkins scoring after numerous attacks had been denied by fine home defence, but three tries in the next eight minutes killed off any suggestion of a fightback.

Great tackles by Andy Dymock and Colin Strachan had first denied scores, before Grant Runciman, the impressive openside flanker, John Dalziel and Thomson did touch down, and having finally broken free Melrose began to warm-up for their sevens tournament on Saturday with dazzling off-loading, running and finishing for Jones, Jamie Murray and Thomson, twice, to rattle up a big score, aided by Scott Wight's nine from 11 kicks at goal.

By the time Thomson returns to Manchester, Melrose could have both the league and cup double wrapped up. But few at the Greenyards are yet talking in those terms, least of all the full-back.

"We weren't happy with the first half against Dundee; not at all. They're a good team, but I think we showed in the second half what we're capable of when we get things right. But we have a lot of work still to come. We can look forward to the sevens now and then it's the Ayr game, and then the cup final. It's a busy few weeks but everyone has worked really hard for these opportunities so we're pretty keen to finish it off."

And he knows a thing or two about finishing, so don't bet against more tries to come before Thomson is handed a professional opportunity.

Scorers: Melrose - Tries: Jones 2, Helps, Dodds, Runciman, Dalziel, Thomson 3, Murray. Pen: Wight; Cons: Wight 8. Dundee - Try: Hawkins.Pens: McKenna 2.

Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, J Helps, L Jones; S Wight, S McCormack; N Little, W Mitchell, Holborn, Miller, H Mitchell, Dalziel, Runciman, Dodds. Subs (all used): R Ferguson, N Beavon, A Dodds, S Johnson, R Chrystie, A Dodds.

Dundee HSFP: Brown; Hay, Duthie, Strachan, Coleman; McKenna, A Dymock; N Dymock, Forrest, Brown, Linton, Hawkins, Cumming, Cessford, Levison. Subs (all used): C Kerr, D Russell, A Redmayne, R Milne, C Bowie.

Referee: A McMenemy.x