Hunter’s last-minute drop-goal winner pushes clever Chieftains into third spot

and sent his kick arrowing between the posts.

The outcome was as sweet for the Chieftains as the connection with Hunter’s boot. They climbed above Heriot’s in the Tennent’s Premiership to make a play-off place and a shot at the title a little more likely.

Currie coach Mark Cairns said: “I have watched Heriot’s do that to us a few times over the seasons, so it’s nice to be on the other end of it.

“It’s testament to the boys that they managed to grind it out. I felt that we played the better rugby of the two teams. We know they have got a very strong scrum. I’m so proud of the boys for how they dealt with that. I thought the scrums were about even, which is good for us against Heriot’s, and we were really smart at line-out time.”

Heriot’s mostly dominated territory and possession throughout but Currie tended to make more intelligent use of the ball when they had it in hand. The home side’s first attack after 25 minutes of resisting relentless Heriot’s pressure produced the game’s first try when scrum-half Charlie Shiel dodged his way to within metres of the line. The ball was recycled and went out wide right where winger Ben Robbins barged his way over.

Hunter, right, wasn’t even close with the conversion attempt on this occasion but would make up for it later. Heriot’s replied immediately with a 35-metre penalty from outside centre Ross Jones and a try after a line-out and maul by blindside flanker Iain Wilson with Jones adding the extras. Heriot’s had a narrow 10-5 lead and lock Adam Sinclair in the bin at half-time but still exerted control after the restart. Currie struggled to break free but, when they did, Heriot’s hold on play seemed fragile.

On one occasion, captain Robbie Nelson spearheaded a 50-metre cavalry charge that was only stopped on the line.

For the most part, though, Heriot’s kept it tight.

Currie persevered. Hunter knocked over a penalty from almost the same spot where he would soon drop the winning goal. That reduced the margin between the teams to two points and brought Heriot’s within range of the single score.

Then in the 87th minute, knowing the game was over the next time the ball went dead, Hunter seized his chance and shot them down.

Heriot’s coach Phil Smith said his players were comfortable defending and closing the game out.

“That’s the frustration – that we got ourselves into the position to win the game and just see it out, then somebody makes an absolute howler. But there’s still three more games to go. The net effect on the whole thing is marginal.

“It’s a gut-wrencher, but we move on.”