Melrose 12 - 17 Gala: Derby goes the way of Gala

Gala moved to the top of RBS Premiership after achieving victory over their neighbours Melrose in a tense match that reflected traditional Border rivalry and a total disregard by the home side for the form book, writes Alan Lorimer at the Greenyards.

Melrose led 9-7 at the break from two penalties by Richard Mill and one by Joe Helps to a converted penalty try for Gala. After the break, Gala’s Euan Dods and George Graham combined on the blind side to produce a try for winger Grant Somerville, converted by Lee Millar who also added a penalty.

In an exciting finish Gala lost both their props to the sin-bin resulting in uncontested scrums but all that Melrose could garner was three further points from an Andrew Skeen penalty goal that earned his side a bonus point.