THERE was never going to be a shock as the holders eased their way into the fifth round of the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup.
A crowd of around 300 took shelter from the gale-force wind and driving rain in front of the pavilion; others braved the storm by the touchline; and on the pitch, which had not totally recovered from the annual Wigtown agricultural show, the players
did their best to play some open rugby.
Newton Stewart's big moment came in first-half injury time when stand-off Ewan McCurdy banged over a penalty from the halfway line.
But there was to be no silver lining for the National League Division 2 side, although Melrose had to work extremely hard to advance into the next round.
With speculation that the cup will be revamped next season, with one competition for Premiership clubs and the other for National League sides, it would indeed be a shame if the minnows did not have the opportunity to face the giants.
"We have no problems of coming to places like this," said Melrose coach Craig Chalmers. "They are proud of their club and they play a decent standard. It is good for our boys to see how lucky they are with the facilities, the sponsorship, the kit and all that goes with it.
"It is good character building. It is good for team morale and to get together in a different (social] environment than we get in a normal week. We hung around a bit to mingle with the locals and we wanted to make it a day for them to remember."
Melrose faced the gale in the first half and turned round 10-3 ahead, with tries on either flank from Jordan Macey. McCurdy's penalty in injury time brought out the biggest roar of the game. But the home side were unable to get out of their own half after the interval and Callum Anderson added a couple of tries, one converted by Scott Wight.
Scorers: Newton Stewart: Pen: McCurdy. Melrose: Tries: Macey 2, Anderson 2. Con: Wight.
Newton Stewart: G Armstrong; J Wallace, G McMillan, I Russell, S Cluckie; E McCurdy, J Erskine; S McWhirter, S Kingston, G McDonald, M Adams, K Faulds, M Wallace, S Wright, R Gaw. Subs used: S Vance, P Simpson, M Plunkett, K McWhirter.
Melrose: J Macey; C Anderson, J Lew, J Helps, D Whiteford; S Wight, S McCormick; N Beavon, W Mitchell, R Higgins, S Johnson, B Runciman, A Thomson, J Dalziel, K Palepoi. Subs used: S Williams, J Bradburn, A Jessop, C Hardie.
Referee: A Hepburn
