Extraordinary changes in fortunes see High triumph

It would hardly be possible to make a case for the borders being a happy hunting ground for Dundee High Rugby and their BT National 1 clash against Selkirk at Philiphaugh perfectly encapsulated the experiences of lows and highs they have suffered and enjoyed south of Soutra.

In a game of extraordinary changes of fortune, it was Dundee who were first out of the blocks and left their hosts well in their wake in the opening spell.

Danny Mcginn’s try opened the scoring, with Keiran Scoular converting then adding a penalty before Alasdair Mackie burst through for two tries in as many minutes.

Dundee were ahead of the clock – 20-0 up in 19 minutes then, suddenly, someone pressed the ‘on’ switch in the Selkirk outfit and they came to life.

In an astonishing 13-minute burst they treated Dundee to a taste of what they had been subjected to in the opening quarter and went into the lead with Darren Clapperton’s try leading the way.

Rory Banks converted, Frazer Anderson grabbed try number two and again Banks converted then obliged with a penalty before Josh Welsh’s try brought a hugely entertaining half to an end with Selkirk ahead 22-20.

The try-fest was not destined to last, Mcginn notched his second try seven minutes into the second half and that was it.

Both sides had chances but in the end it was Dundee who took five points and Selkirk’s two were meagre reward for their contribution to an excellent contest with that win now hoisting Dundee into fifth spot in the table.

They are one point behind Gala and two behind Selkirk and with Kelso pitching up at Mayfield next week after pulling off the narrowest of wins against Aberdeen Grammar Rugby, another win over a border side could bounce Dundee even further up the table.

In BT National 2, Kirkcaldy’s scheduled fixture against Aberdeenshire didn’t materialise due to ‘Shire’s withdrawal from the league.

The hike across to Memorial Field in Ayrshire to take on Ardrossan in their BT National 3 clash ended in frustration yet again for Perthshire as they came home empty handed.

All the scoring came before the break as Ian Jack picked up Perthshire’s only try with Graeme Clow converting and adding a couple of penalties but tries from Martin Gaetano, Scott Campbell and Stuart Lamont all nailed by Jack Anderson proved too much and Ardrossan ran out winners 21-13.

Shire are still above the drop zone in the table but things are getting tight with Orkney and Haddington on their tail so the result of the visit of St Boswells to North Inch next week has major consequences.