Selkirk 24 - 29 Melrose

Melrose marched on to their fifth success in the Premier with a narrow win at Philiphaugh achieved with more difficulty than the difference in form between the two teams might have suggested.

Selkirk rose to the derby occasion with a great second-half performance that restored pride in Philiphaugh rugby, but ultimately failed to turn late pressure into a result.

Melrose looked dominant in the set piece, their powerful scrum having Selkirk on the retreat, while in the lineout the visitors were assured on their own throw and piratical on Selkirk's.

Yet it was Selkirk who struck first with a converted try by Fraser Harkness from a tap penalty. Melrose replied via tries by Fraser Thomson and John Dalziel and a conversion by Scott Wight.

Two penalties by David Cassidy, however, restored Selkirk's lead with the score at 13-12 but then Melrose's Callum Anderson scored in the corner before John Dalziel touched down, with both tries converted by Wight for a 26-13 interval advantage

A penalty exchange by Cassidy and Wight kept the margin at thirteen points before replacement prop Gordon Patterson crashed over from close range. Then as Selkirk built up momentum playing some exhilarating rugby it seemed they might achieve victory but their only dividend was a Cassidy penalty to gain a well-deserved bonus point.

Scorers: Selkirk: Tries: Harkness, Patterson. Cons: Cassidy. Pens: Cassidy 4. Melrose: Tries: Thomson, J Murray, Anderson, Dalziel. Cons: Wight 3. Pens: Wight.

Selkirk: F Harkness; N Godsmark, D Cassidy, R Armstrong, D Clapperton; G Craig, M McVie; R Taylor, M Martin, M Weller, C Marshall, S Willett, N Darling, R Godsmark, A Renwick. Subs used: S Forrest, C Johnstone, R Aglen, G Patterson, A Lyall.

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

Referee: C Rudkin (Hawick).