Great win at Melrose sees the firsts to safety

On: 2010-04-18 02:44:33

Melrose 18 Watsonians 20

Departing coach Bruce Aitchison and his team saved WFC from the drop on an amazing day on Saturday. The firsts won at the Greenyards against Melrose, Mike Ker - pictured - kicking a late penalty winner, and Edinburgh Accies lost to Heriot's meaning it is them who join Stewart's Melville in going down.

The following report appeared in the Scotland on Sunday, further reaction from those involved will be on the site during this week.

Melrose 18 - 20 Watsonians: Show of strength slips Watsonians clear of relegation zone
By Alan Lorimer
at the Greenyards

WATSONIANS were last night celebrating a famous escape from the drop after the combination of victory over Melrose and defeat for Edinburgh Accies resulted in the Myreside men avoiding relegation.

The Myreside men fielded arguably their strongest side of the season, bolstered considerably by the presence of their assistant coach, Ally Hogg, and Scotland under-20 skipper Stuart McInally. Hogg, delighted to be appearing for Watsonians in this crucial game put the win down to his side's spirit. He said: "It was all about a bit of guts at the end."

Retiring head coach, Bruce Aitchison, whose CV will now look a bit better as he searches for a new club, added: "We matched Melrose in first phase play. They have a superb backline but I thought that some of our defence today was immense. I think that rattled them."

If Hogg and McInally gave Watsonians a slight edge in the back row battle then Michael Fedo can claim much credit as well.

Watsonians looked to be in command when they led 12-6 at the break with tries by McInally after a 40 metre solo run, and Mike Ker from an interception of Scott Wight's pass and a conversion by Ker to two penalties by Wight.

Melrose, playing into the wind in the second half, were penned into their own 22 after the break, by accurate kicking from Watsonians. But when Wight collected a James King chip and off-loaded to Fraser Thomson, the full back had the pace to reach the try line.

Wight's conversion gave Melrose the lead at 13-12 and after replacement scrum-half Rob Chrystie darted in from close range it looked as though the game was slipping from Watsonians' grasp.

That was until substitute Jamie Forbes side-stepped through the Melrose defence to lay on a try for winger Richard Minto.

Ker missed the conversion but the stand-off more than atoned with an injury-time penalty to snatch the game and provide salvation for Watsonians.

GH