Premiership Rugby: Currie leave it late to see off Melrose at Malleny

Both sides did enough to deserve the win but it was the hosts who were victorious, scoring with the last play of the match to maintain their perfect start to the season and make it three wins from three with a final score of 32-27. They remain neck and neck with Ayr who also sit on 15 points after beating Hawick 33-3 at home on matchday three.

Melrose took an early three point lead through the boot of Luke Townsend, who had a great game at fly-half for the visitors, but Currie responded with hooker Ryan Stewart scoring from the back of a rolling maul. The Borders side managed to open the game up after that and when they got the ball out the back it was Ben Pickles who made the break down the line before offloading to full-back Callum Anderson for the score.

Currie edge past Melrose in great advert for Premiership rugby

Currie were able to go back in front through Stewart who again crossed the whitewash at the tail of the maul for a half time score of 15-10. The visitors came out swinging after the break and a jackal penalty got them downfield before Paddy Anderson powered over. Anderson kicked the conversion and then notched another penalty to extend that advantage to ten points.

Currie were struggling for territory as they attacked into a strong wind but were clinical when they eventually made it into the Melrose 22 with a quick tap penalty finished off in the corner by Kyle Borthwick. It was end to end action at that point and Melrose went straight up the pitch and, even after seeing a line-out stolen in the 22, they regained possession and substitute Scott Clark broke through the line to power over. Another successful conversion made it 20-27.

Fraser Sayers was next to score for Currie with another try out wide and Alex Harley hit the inside of the post with the conversion which meant Melrose retained a two point lead at 25-27. As the clock ticked down the visitors were defending hard with the home team throwing everything at it and a huge defensive effort saw them force Stewart into touch in the corner to deny the forward his hat-trick.

However, with the final play of the game and Melrose scrambling to defend another Currie attack the hosts managed to cut through the line with Alex Harley spotting the gap to slice his way through the line and over. His successful conversion made it 32-27 and, although their weas time for kick off, Currie managed to gain possession and bring the game to am emphatic end.

“I think it was a great game of rugby,” said Currie head coach Mark Cairns. “I was really proud of the guys executing under that pressure and getting the win.”

On making it three wins from three so far this season, Cairns added: “It's pretty good, I thought we'd do that and I think we're going to keep winning.

“The guys believe in themselves, I believe in them. We're building something and I'm not getting too far ahead of myself but we're in it to win it this year.”

Elsewhere in the division GHA beat Edinburgh Accies 38-12 and Heriots saw off Kelso 57-12. Watsonians were 36-19 winners at Glasgow Hawks.

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