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.