Melrose moved into second place in the BT Premiership table after defeating the defending champions, Heriot’s, with a performance marked by physicality at the breakdowns.

Such was Melrose’s speed into the contact area it looked as though they had learned much from watching the Rugby World Cup. In the event their aggressive approach denied Heriot’s much prime possession and forced a succession of turnovers.

Melrose were also helped by a return to form of their stand-off Jason Baggott. The young South African kicked well from hand and showed a willingness to break the defensive line with hard running.

Moreover Melrose were much the more determined in defence in contrast to Heriot’s who missed too many tackles.“Basically we didn’t apply pressure because we didn’t defend very well. Our attack looked a bit tired at times but even so we scored three good tries. Overall Melrose were deserving winners.” conceded Heriot’s coach, Phil Smith.

Heriot’s weakened by the loss of their number 8, Jason Hill, after only ten minutes were unable to resist against a rampant Melrose side that scored two first half tries by lock Lewis Carmichael and full back Fraser Thomson, both from clever approach work.

Minutes later Thomson was stretchered off after a collision with fellow tackler James Head but his replacement, Joe Helps, proved invaluable, the utility back kicking four penalty goals, adding to a first half effort by Tom Galbraith and converting a spectacular solo try from 60 metres out by flanker Neil Irvine-Hess.

Heriot’s tries were all scored in the second half, the first by centre Max Learmonth, the second by wing Charlie Simpson and a final effort in the dying minutes from an interception by flanker Struan Dewar as Melrose tried to score a fourth try. Heriot’s other points all came from the boot of scrum half Graham Wilson.