Results and Match Reports from the Season so far

Results so Far:

4th sept - Melrose 5 v 27 Royal High Corstorphine (loss)

11th sept - Lismore 3 v 72 Melrose
(win)

TBC - Melrose v Aberdeenshire Quines (cancelled)

25th sept Kircaldy 19 v 25 Melrose
(win)

9th oct - Melrose v Murrayfield Wanderers (cancelled)

16th oct - GHA v Melrose (cancelled)

30th oct - Melrose 5 v 65 Hillhead Jordanhill
(loss)

6th nov - Watsonians 75 v 0 Melrose
(loss)

20th nov - Melrose v Edinburgh University
(cancelled)

27th nov - Royal High Corstorphine 42 v 0 Melrose (loss)

4th dec - Melrose 68 v 7 Lismore
(win)

11th dec - Aberdeenshire Quines v Melrose
(cancelled)

Lismore 3 - 72 Melrose
Match report by Karen McIlroy (Psycho) 11/09/05
After a surprise frantic start, the ladies overcame the first challenges of the day by having to arrange a bus driver and stand in coaches added to the constant battle of lack of players!
After numerous phone calls by all, Melrose raised 12 players to play Lismore, who are also struggling to maintain a full squad. In the opening minutes of the game, both teams displayed an element of nervousness, dropped passes and missed tackles, this gave Lismore confidence as they approached Melrose’s 22. A short pass to Nina gave Melrose the first opportunity to attack and with the wing unmarked Nina sprinted the 80 metres to the line for the first score of the game.
This set the pattern of scoring for the ladies. Melrose’s attacking play was strong and confident and used their lack of numbers to the full, each phase of play was well supported. Nearly all of the tries came from Melrose finding the gaps, making a half break and popping to someone coming at pace, many of them coming deep within our own half. Further tries from Lynn (2), Nina (2) and Cookie set the score at 36-0 at half time.
Melrose started the 2nd half with an instant try from Gilly but the additional players seemed to confuse Melrose’s play and although their defence remained strong with some tough tackling (no names Diane!) the attacking play stalled. Melrose started to give away too many penalties and Lismore opted to take a successful kick at goal.
Although there did not seem to be a threat from Lismore, losing 3 points jolted Melrose. Cookie kicked off deep into Lismore’s 22 which was swiftly followed up by Gilly but the lack of oxygen from the outstanding sprint temporary suspended Gilly’s limbs from working so we won’t mention she missed the tackle and pretend she meant Hannah to pick up the spilt ball and distribute to Tanya who made lightwork of the tiring defence.
Cookie played extremely well for her first game at No 10, created a space to run in a half way try. Diane was again strong in attack using her crash ball move to good effect, well supported by Tanya who popped to Louise, forcing her way over the line.
A well worked break created in Melrose’s 22 saw another 80 metre sprint for a score under the posts quickly followed by a good piece of broken play, good hands from Morag with a slip pass to Lynn saw Melrose’s last try of the day, Final score 72 – 3.
Player of the match today was a difficult decision as everyone played well as a team. Nina proved herself with her strong running and ever increasing confidence and Natasha stepped up to the mark for her tackling. Mary played against the odds as the amount of water she took on board added up to about 4 litres! (alcohol = dehydration, need we say more??). Cookie was voted Player of the match as her all round play at No 10 was consistent and controlled the game well.
Thanks are extended to Coomie for stepping in at very short notice to drive the ladies to Edinburgh, also thanks to Brian and Graeme for their help and support before and during the game, which would have been very difficult without them. Thanks as always to Fraser and Ali for his touch line duties.

Date: 03/01/2007

Melrose Ladies Rugby