Melrose 26-16 Selkirk

Melrose returned to winning form – but not without a stiff ­challenge from a Selkirk side which, at times, played sublime rugby but lacked the weight to subdue their Borders rivals.

The home side used their power advantage to dominate possession in the final quarter when they scored two of their three tries.

Selkirk, after going behind to an early penalty by Joe Helps, engineered a peach of a try with a break by Ross Nixon, support from Dashton Wellman and excellent finishing from Darren Clipperton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rory Banks’ conversion gave the Philliphaugh men the lead for the only time in the match.

Melrose hit back with a Sam Pecqueur try, converted by Helps, who then added a penalty. But a ­successful kick at goal by Banks left Selkirk just three points in arrears at the break.

Helps and Banks added a ­penalty apiece before Melrose scored an impressive try by Lewis Carmichael from a quick throw-in by Helps.

In a powerful finish, Melrose sank Selkirk’s hopes of salvaging a bonus point with a try from a driven lineout by replacement ­second row Alistair Grieve.

Related topics: