HERIOT’S ruled the roost in domestic rugby last season, but their pre-eminence is under serious threat if their resounding 7-36 defeat by Melrose in last night’s Charity Shield is any indication.

The loss of the Shield - one of the three trophies Heriot’s won last season - may be no more than a token setback for the Edinburgh club, who were clearly short of match practice and had rested several key players who were carrying niggles. Even so, on a rainy night at Goldenacre, Melrose did enough to suggest that they will at least be serious contenders for the crown when the more serious competition begins. The result is also sure to provide encouragement to those other clubs such as Ayr and Currie who came closest in the fight for the Premiership and the Scottish Cup last season.

The slippery conditions made handling difficult, and it took Melrose a while to make their superiority tell. Scrum-half Murdo McAndrew opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a try converted by George Taylor. Neil Irvine-Hess and Taylor himself added further touchdowns in the ensuing ten minutes to give the visitors a 17-0 lead, but Heriot’s hit back before the break with a try by No 8 Callum Marshall which Alex Hagart converted.

It did not take long, however, for Melrose to resume control in the second half. Jason Baggott claimed his team’s fourth try, and Ruaridh Knott soon got the fifth, with Baggott converting the latter score. The stand-off added a further two points after an Ian Moody try, and, as the light faded, so did Heriot’s last lingering hopes of a fightback.