MELROSE produced a late surge for victory against Edinburgh Academicals at Raeburn Place to maintain their place in the upper echelons of the Scottish Hydro Premiership, but the Borderers know that if their challenge for top honours is to be meaningful, then yesterday's display cannot be a template for the future.
The Greenyards men should have had the game won by half time after enjoying a massive share of both territory and possession, but their slack stewardship of the ball and two penalty misses by Scott Wight meant it was nil points for Melrose at half ti
me to match Accies' similarly disappointing tally.
For their part, Accies put in a huge shift in defence with outstanding contributions from lock Greg Campbell, No.8 Dan Teague and flanker Robin Snape.
It was Alex Blair who opened the scoring when against the run of play Accies attacked through Snape, before Teague provided the link and the scoring pass. Stand-off David O'Hagen converted, but then missed an attempted drop at goal.
Melrose, somewhat taken aback by Accies's score, roared into attack mode and were rewarded with a try started by Scott McCormick and completed by Wight, who then missed the conversion.
The Borderers then produced another score, this time from centre James King. Wight added the conversion but was off target when he tried to add the extra points to his side's third try scored by winger Callum Anderson.
A late try by Teague and the conversion by O'Hagen suggested a late charge by Accies but Melrose's ability to maintain continuous pressure on their opponents line sealed victory for the visitors.
