Melrose 19, Newcastle Falcons 17

Ed Burril scored early for the English visitors, but Melrose piled on the pressure as they sought the equaliser. Graeme Dodds handed off his man to cross to loud cheers from the home support. Scott Ruthven kicked the conversion as his team took a narrow lead into the break.

Mark Robertson made a good challenge on Adam Dehaty to deny him a score, but Eddie Gesinde picked up to send Matt Dehaty through for the score. Mark Laycock’s conversion gave the visitors a 12-7 lead.

Melrose took play up field as they sought a score to keep themselves in the tie, but Laycock broke away to add to the Falcons advantage.

Jarrod Murphy closed that gap when Dodds and then Alex Clark made the running down the left flank. Ruthven converted to keep the hosts in the tie.

With the clock ticking down David Whiteford found a burst of pace to take Melrose into the next round.

A Jamie Sandwich!	Falcons Grounded by Melrose
Newcastle Falcons - No Easy Prey for 'Rose	Nail Biting Tie at Rose 7s

Date: 09/04/2005