Melrose 31, Hawick 3
WHATEVER else emerged of international significance from last night's
Tennents Championship match between Melrose and Hawick at the
Greenyards, the Scotland selectors must have been heartened by the
kicking form of Craig Chalmers.
The Scotland stand-off, taking over the goal-kicking role from Gary
Parker for this third championship match, showed that his practice in
the close season has certainly paid off. His final tally from the boot
was 16 points and for good measure the Melrose stand-off added a try to
hoist his total to an impressive 21.
It was Chalmers' unerring goal-kicking that put Melrose into a 9-3
half-time lead after a 40 minute period in which both sides showed a
lack of adventure, but the former champions upped the tempo dramatically
in the second half.
Their new recruits, Nick Broughton, the open side flanker, and Issac
Feaunati at No.8, made their marks as Melrose hit the right gear. Both
loose forwards pierced holes in the Hawick defence and allowed the other
Melrose forwards to ruck off them.
Broughton capped a fine performance by scoring a wonderful support try
as Melrose turned defence into attack from a spilled pass to Hawick full
back Colin Turnbull. Chalmers collected the loose ball before passing to
Graham Shiel, who in turn slipped the ball to Broughton for the flanker
to cross unopposed.
Melrose struck again when, from a pick-up by Feaunati, the pack rucked
the ball, allowing Bryan Redpath to feed Shiel, who in turn found
Chalmers on his shoulder for the stand-off to race to the line.
Melrose's final try came from Gary Parker, who controlled the ball
well with his feet before winning the touchdown for a score in the
corner.
For Hawick, stand-off Scott Welsh kicked a first half penalty goal.
Melrose -- R Shepherd; G Parker, J Turnbull, G Shiel, D Bain; C
Chalmers, B Redpath, M Browne, S Scott, K Allan, R Brown, E Simpson, S
Aitken, I Feaunati, N Broughton. Replacement -- D Lunn for K Allan (67).
Hawick -- C Turnbull; D Grant, A Stanger, C Murray (J Craig, 66), G
Sharp; S Welsh, K Reid; J McDonnell, J Hay, K Scott, I Elliot, A Imray,
D Turnbull, B Renwick, J Graham. Replacement -- J Craig for C Murray
(66).
Referee -- I Ramage (Berwick).
SCORERS: Melrose -- C Chalmers, 1t, 4p, 2c; N Broughton 1t; G Parker
1t. Hawick -- S Welsh 1p.
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