Late heartbreak robs High of even their losing bonus

It was cruelty itself which denied Dundee High Rugby even a losing bonus in a cracking Tennent’s National League clash with Cartha QP.

Cartha came with a two wins from seven starts record but also an impressive total of six try bonuses.

And they opened the scoring with a Bosco Lafon strike, converted by Wayne Burrows, before Paul Kerr’s penalty got Dundee on the board.

Burrows landed a couple of penalties before half-time but a try from Duncan McIntyre, converted by Kerr, saw Dundee well in touch, turning round only 13-10 down.

Lewis McNamara put Dundee ahead with the next try only for it to be cancelled out by Michael Robertson. Then McNamara struck again and Kerr’s conversion took Dundee into a four-point lead.

This took the see-sawing game into the final quarter when the hosts’ hopes have dwindled so often this season.

And sure enough, Juan Phyfer’s try, converted by Burrows, snatched back the lead.

With 10 minutes to go, Kerr’s penalty levelled the scores, Burrows slotted his third penalty and as the clock ran down, Tony Lopez closed out the game with Cartha’s fourth try, converted by Burrows.

The National 2 meeting at the Gytes between Peebles and Kirkcaldy was equally pulsating.

Kirkcaldy raced into a 15-0 lead with tries from Marcus Salt and skipper Josh Laird and a conversion and penalty from Craig Letham.

Then just before half-time Pat Harrison grabbed one back for Peebles, Letham goaled his second penalty and Kirkcaldy turned 18-5 ahead.

Roddy Guinea crossed for Peebles and Greg Raeburn converted but a Letham penalty and Fin Smith try stretched the margin to 11 points before Dan Edward’s try pulled Peebles back into contention.

Letham banged over his fourth penalty but Donald Anderson’s try and conversion brought up a final score as Kirkcaldy took the 31-29 win and four points.

Inchmacoble was unplayable, which forced off the much-anticipated faceoff between Strathmore and Howe of Fife.

Perthshire’s trip to face Murrayfield Wanderers also fell victim to the weather.