Melrose v Heriots - 23/8/2025
The Teams line up for the Graham Dall Trophy
Melrose v Heriots – 23/8/25
The first Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership match of season 2025/26 was played in still, but overcast, conditions. Preceding the match a “Minutes Silence” was held for David Milne and Graham Dall, and the victors were to receive the “Graham Dall Memorial Trophy”. With two minutes played Struan Wells scythed through the Melrose defence off-loading to Callum Anderson who scored an unconverted try to the left of the posts. At five minutes Finlay Sinclair was injured and, after a lengthy delay, he was stretchered off the field. We wish him a speedy recovery. On 13 minutes Douglas Crawford started a passing move out of defence up the far side, eventually re-recovering the ball to score to the left of the posts with Roly Brett adding the extras. Seven minutes later another break up the far side was completed when Finn Douglas collected his own chip ahead and scored in the Policeman’s Corner with Brett’s attempted conversion rebounding off the upright. With 26 minutes played a break by Brett allowed Corey Goldsbrough to score between the posts with Brett converting. On the half hour Melrose chipped and chased the ball up the pitch with Connor Spence scoring the Melrose bonus point try, which Brett converted, to the left of the posts.
Half time – Melrose 26 Heriots 5.
Six minutes into the second half Brett increased the Melrose lead with a penalty. As the third quarter was ending, from a penalty lineout maul on the left, Douglas Crawford broke, off-loading to Declan Mulcahy who scored to the left of the posts with Brett converting. Three minutes later Patrick Spence rumbled over for an unconverted try for the visitors. Then, four minutes later, Douglas Crawford broke again before passing to Douglas whose try to the left of the posts was converted by Brett. With eight minutes until no-side Heriots won a penalty lineout in the Town Corner and from the resulting maul Struan Cessford barged his way over for a try converted by Calum Jessop which ended the scoring.
Melrose 43 Heriots 17
Eclectic Coffee “Man of the Match” – Douglas Crawford.
At the end of the match the “Graham Dall Memorial Trophy” was presented to Melrose Captain, Angus Runciman by Graham’s father, Fraser Dall.
Fraser Dall presents Goose with the Graham Dall Memorial Trophy
Melrose – Donald Crawford, Finn Douglas, Corey Goldsbrough, Declan Mulcahy, Connor Spence, Roly Brett, Douglas Crawford, Jack Dobie, Ben McLean, Zen Szwagrzak, Angus Weir, Angus Runciman©, Elliot Ruthven, Finlay Sinclair, Ru. Campbell. Replacements – Logan Kirk, Sam Rainey, Robbie Robinson, Sam Derrick, Ollie Furness, Scott Clark, Stuart Kirk.
Heriots – Calum Jessop, Cameron Meager, Max Wallace, Zack Smith, Rory Brogan, Struan Wells, Angus Munro, Flynn Thomas, Euan McLaren©, Ross Brown, Patrick Spence, Tom Dunn, Rory Kirkpatrick, Replacements – Ali Johnston, Oliver Bowden, Struan Cessford, Malachy Keough, Innes Hill, Fraser Gallagher, Angus Hunter.
Referee – Chelsea Gillespie
Assistants – Willie Anderson & Bob Nevins.
Thanks to Andy Mclean Digital Images for the fantastic photos.
