More League Victories

SWRU National League

St. Andrews Univ. 24 Melrose Ladies 38

In glorious sunny weather Melrose played some good rugby to control the first half against an abrasive student side and turned round 26-7 ahead. It was a different story in the second half as Melrose sat back and allowed the aggressive student forwards to dominate possession and their quick backs to tear holes in the defence. It has to be said that a number of injuries disrupted the Melrose side who were very glad of the late try that eventually sealed the victory after the students had run in for three of their own leaving the visitors desperately hanging on. Mention must go to fullback Lyndsey Gilchrist, who played on despite dislocating a finger and made at least three try saving tackles which certainly saved the day for Melrose. Scorers for Melrose who will want to forget the second half and hope some of the injuries clear quickly, were Kirsty Cook, Hannah Rorrison, Luana Henderson and Nicola Halfpenny who ran in three, including the clincher, and also converted four.

Melrose Ladies 76 Lismore 17

After last weeks cup success and midweek victory in their own sevens, Melrose Ladies were back on league business with a comfortable win as the sun returned to a heavy Greenyards pitch. A spirited performance by Lismore bagged them three good tries but overall they were unable to cope with the handling and pace of the home side that scored with regularity throughout the game. Some excellent rucking by the forwards churned back plentiful ball for the backs to exploit the holes in the Lismore defence. Scorers for Melrose who led 33-7 at half-time were : Julie Thompson (2), Keri Wilson (2), Kirsty Cook (2), Lyndsey Gilchrist, Leigh-Anne Stewart, Kayleigh Elliot, Diane Durham, Gillian Thomson and Nicola Halfpenny who also added eight conversions.

Glasgow Univ. 7 Melrose Ladies 14

A depleted Melrose side defied the strong wind and gained revenge for their early season defeat at the hands of the students. Playing with the wind Melrose were disappointed to turn round level at 7-7. However, into the wind a tremendous display by the forwards deprived Glasgow of the ball and kept them penned in their own half for the remainder of the game. Repeated rolling mauls tore great holes in the home defence and the reward came when they crashed over at the posts for the decisive score. Unspectacular but highly effective in the conditions, Melrose reaped the reward for their effort and determination.
Tries by Kelly Mitchell and Diane Durham both converted by Kirsty Cook took the league points for Melrose

Date: 21/04/2008

Melrose Ladies Rugby