West of Scotland 26 - 59 Melrose

THE try count of 9-4 to Melrose tells the tale of this match. The Borderers are now safely in the top eight teams who will play-off for the Premier 1 crown, while West will be involved in what is sure to be a tense middle eight clubs, playing for Premier 1 survival.

Melrose were too powerful for an under-strength West, who nevertheless were rewarded for their refusal to buckle with a bonus-try point, but made too many errors, ruthlessly exploited by their guests.

Ewan Ford and Gary Holburn scored two tries for Melrose, in the 11th and 12th minutes, before Graeme Dodds crossed for the first of his brace at quarter distance.

Wayne Mitchell forced his way over while West were down to 14 men through David McFarland's yellow card, for the bonus-point try, in 28 minutes.

But Jonathan Curtis danced over for West's first try, before the visitors finished the half on a high with a try for veteran Cammy Murray, Scott Wight converting to make it five out of five.

Dodds got the second half going with his second try, cancelled out by Mark Davis, before Fraser Thomson scored two fine tries for Melrose as the play became increasingly loose in the second half.

Michael Sim and Mark Davis touched down to give West a bonus point, but, John Dalziel had earlier posted try number nine for the visitors.

Scorers: West of Scotland: Tries: Curtis, M Davis (2), Sim. Cons: Stevenson (2), Sim.Melrose: Tries: Ford, Holburn, G Dodds (2), W Mitchell, C Murray, Thomson (2), Dalziel. Cons: Wight (7).

West of Scotland: C Davis (Malone), Curtis, McKenzie, Matheson (Menzies), Sim, Stevenson, M Davis; McLaren, Haswell (Carmichael), Ross, McAlpine, Marshall (Barron), de Sainte Croix (McDonald), McFarland, Fisken.

Melrose: Thomson, Anderson, J Murray, Ford, C Murray (Jackson), Wight, Chrystie (McCormick); Little, W Mitchell (Innes), Holborn (Beavons), Elder (Miller), H Mitchell, Dalziel, Runciman, Dodds.

Referee: G Knox.