Melrose stun Bedford with second-half recovery

Beattie was in British and Irish Cup action for Ayr on Saturday

Melrose emulated the feat of Ayr by recovering from a 17-0 half-time deficit to beat Bedford Blues 19-17 in the British and Irish Cup.

On Saturday, Scotland cap Johnnie Beattie helped Ayr beat Plymouth Albion 18-17 and a great second-half display saw a similar swing at The Greenyards.

Alun Walker, David Crawford and Allan Dodds ran in three tries while Andrew Skeen kicked two conversions for Rose.

Currie, though, were beaten 31-16 away to Leeds Carnegie.

In Ayr's match, Beattie, released from Glasgow Warriors' squad for the Heineken Cup clash with Bath, got his team's second try, Hayden Wisnewski claiming the first.

Robbie Fergusson converted one of the tries and also kicked two penalties.

Jack Nowell and Rupert Freestone touched down for Plymouth, Mark Lee converting both and adding a penalty, but their 17-0 lead was overturned.

Number 8 Beattie's try took the score to 17-16 and Fergusson's conversion won the match for the visitors.

British and Irish Cup results

Saturday 12 November

Plymouth Albion 17-18 Ayr

Sunday 13 November

Melrose 19-17 Bedford Blues

Leeds Carnegie 31-16 Currie