A patient start from Hawick came undone in the Melrose 22 when the ball was ripped by a combative defence but they would come again and a penalty from in front of the posts drew first blood.

The following deep restart wasn’t gathered by the visitors and Melrose had an excellent platform to hit straight back.

They spread it to the opposite flank and after some threatening phases were awarded a penalty of their own. The home side went for the corner and a powerful driving maul from the line-out couldn’t be stopped for the first try.

A yellow card apiece for a tip tackle and retaliation shortly after saw Hawick close the gap to a point but Melrose wasted no time in utilising the extra space to extend their lead once more.

It was one way traffic from thereon in and Melrose powered their way to a first-half bonus point.

Half Time: Melrose 24 – 6 Hawick

Another bright start from Hawick saw them work their way into Melrose territory and they nearly scored off a charge down only to be pulled back for a knock on.

More positive play set up the visitors to score first in the second period narrowing the gap to just 11 points with a quarter to go.

Melrose twice opted for the posts, testament to the challenge that their Borders rivals were posing, to give them a bit of breathing space going into the last ten minutes.

Hawick wouldn’t let up, however, and a score at the death saw them leave the Greenyards with a lot to build on.

Full Time: Melrose 30 – 20 Hawick

Elsewhere, Watsonians powered past Ayr and Glasgow Hawks came from behind to beat Boroughmuir.

Stirling County recorded a convincing victory over Marr and in the Edinburgh derby Currie Chieftains were narrowly beaten by Heriot’s.

BT Premiership Round 9 Results:

Melrose 30 – 20 Hawick

Ayr 12 – 48 Watsonians

Currie Chieftains 14 – 15 Heriot’s

Stirling County 40 – 24 Marr

Borouhgmuir 24 – 31 Glasgow Hawks