Scottish Thistles 12, Melrose 17

An early chance went awry for Melrose when Alex Clark followed up a ball kicked ahead over the Thistles line, but a bad bounce took it away from the Melrose player and out of touch.

Although the wet conditions were making handling difficult, Melrose stretched the visitor’s defence with Jamie Murray breaking through and Mark Robertson on his shoulder for the score. Scott Ruthven made the conversion, but the Thistles didn’t let the hosts hold on their lead for long. Matt Cooper broke away for the try and Ian Kennedy added the two points to bring it level at the break.

Clark and Graeme Dodds played a one-two before a long pass out wide was collected by Robertson. Robertson was held up, but found Murray who touched down in the left hand corner.

Melrose kept up the pressure and Clark was denied by a late tackled which took him into touch.

Thistles though, broke from inside their own half after the hosts gave away possession. Ben Addison dived over in the corner to level the scores and send the tie into extra time.

Robertson claimed the final berth for Melrose to the delight of a vocal home support.

Thistles Wilt Under 'Rose Pressure	200lb+ of Dodmeat on the Hoof!
Oh! I Seem to Have dropped the Ball!	Scottish Thistles Rugby

Date: 09/04/2005