GHK completed their trifecta of Border away days on Saturday in the birthplace of Sevens having previously been to Kelso and Gala in their previous two games away from Old Anniesland.

Much has changed since GHK’s last visit there, not least in the structure of Scottish Rugby which saw the Southern Knights take on Stirling County in a Super Six clash as a ‘warm-up’ prior to the encounter between Melrose and GHK. The fact that this was able to happen was due to the playing surface at The Greenyards which, of course, has been changed to a 3G pitch. There are, of course, differing views on the desirability of playing rugby on a plastic pitch but it certainly played its part in allowing a fast-paced, high-scoring game.

Not for the first time this season, GHK started the match slowly allowing Melrose a straightforward try with their first possession of the game after just a couple of minutes play. The conversion rebounded back from the post but that was about the last piece of good fortune that the visitors were to enjoy.

Melrose’s second try came from a scrum on half way and a clean break finished off by their full back. 10-0 after ten minutes.

GHK’s current run of injury woes continued when scrum half Charlie Campbell was forced from the field with less than a quarter of the match gone, leading to a debut for Fergus McCross who became, I reckon, the fifth incumbent of the position in GHK’s five league matches!  Both Charlie and Fergus acquitted themselves well in challenging circumstances.

Melrose’s third try was perhaps the pick of the bunch with crisp handling and real pace taking them from well within their own 22 to give them their first seven pointer of the day to take the score to 17-0 with just over a quarter of the match played.

The home side were now playing with confidence and it looked as if it could be a very long day for the city side. However, a glimmer of hope came in the shape of a score from Gus North who showed strength and determination to go over for 17-5. A further two tries from the home side, however, took the half-time score to 29-5 and, again, things looked fairly bleak, with few of the travelling support relishing the remaining forty minutes.

When Melrose scored again with the first play of the second half there was a danger that the floodgates would open. However, GHK have shown determination and no little quality in patches of games and so it was here as tries from Ryan Moore, Jack Somerville, Blair Hastie and the evergreen Craig Gossman, who also converted two of them, saw the visitors outscore their opponents in the second half 24-21 to bring the final score to Melrose 50 GHK 29. A well-earned and important bonus point

Credit has to be given to the whole GHK team for sticking to it. Second half replacements Lewis Brock, Lloyd Owen and Blair Hastie all played their part and it was good to see player coach Grant Anderson ease himself back into the side late on.

In the forwards captain Paul Henderson again led by example with Mark Preston excelling in the unglamourous duties of tackling and carrying for the hard yards.

As mentioned, Fergus McCross was very solid at the base of the scrum and the backs showed willingness and ability with ball in hand. Defensively, eliminating   occasional lapses in first up tackling would go a long way to support the lengthy periods of good work.

Subject to possible investigations by The Monopolies Commission (!), this week’s GHK Edinburgh Gin Player of the Match is Gus North. If you’re on Gus’s Christmas present list don’t be surprised if you need to look out the tonic and lime! Alternatively, there are rumours of ‘Gus’s Gigantic GHK Gin Giveaway.’ Watch this space!

Witnesses can confirm that Gus’s on field performance was matched and perhaps even surpassed by his exploits in the post-match activities where Melrose had organised a hugely successful match day event – their OktoberFest. Lederhosen to the fore, steins and bratwurst aplenty and a sing-song. A great day and one which the GHK players and entourage were happy to stay for, participate in and thoroughly enjoy.

We at GHK would like to thank the presidents, committees and others who, over the past few weeks in our long-awaited return to the Borders on league business, have welcomed us in the spirit of friendly rugby rivalry. We look forward to reciprocating in the coming months whilst seeking to be less accommodating on the field.