Premier cup: Melrose surge ensures no Biggar shock

MELROSE needed a second-half surge to snuff out the Scottish Premier Cup challenge of Biggar by 27-11 at the Greenyards.

A shock was still on the cards when the visitors trailed by only two points at the interval but ex-pro John Dalziel stepped up the pace to claim a hat-trick of tries, the other being snapped up by Allan Dodds. Scott Wight added two conversions and a penalty, while Jason Kelly (try) and Craig Parker (two penalties) were Biggar's scorers.

Heriot's were forced to withstand a fierce Hillhead-Jordanhill rally before running out 36-31 victors in a thrilling encounter at Balgray. Hills trailed 26-3 at the halfway stage, but gave their Edinburgh opponents a huge fright with touchdowns by Joe Stafford, Nick McAuley, Dougie Crichton and Don Pitkethley. Gus Twaddle converted them all and added a penalty.

The Heriot's counters came from Greg Wallace, Richard Mill, Andy Scott, Cammy Ferguson and Kevin Bryce, with the kicking duties being shared by Graham Wilson and Colin Goudie.

Meanwhile, touchdowns from Stuart Malone, Conor Davis, Al Stevenson, Calum Morrison and Matt Horner inspired West of Scotland to an easy 31-0 success against Kirkcaldy at Beveridge Park.