Both teams and the supporters on the touchline observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Sarah Donnellan the wife of recently retired player Keiran who recently passed after a courageous battle with cancer.

The home side kicked off playing away from the clubhouse on a warm day on a firm pitch and made their intentions clear when a Ross High clearance kick was seized by Ewan Patrizio who set off on a surging run breaking clear and the ball was moved swiftly to Mike Wimbledon-Hall who was caught just short but got his pass away to the supporting Finlay Milne who sprinted clear for the game’s opening try after barely two minutes of play. Gregor Ronan slotted over the conversion and Dunbar were 7 – 0 ahead.

Clearly stung by this reverse the visitors tried to gain a foothold in the game utilising their bigger pack to test both Dunbar’s scrum and by direct running from their centres. The home defence were equal to the task and from a scrum the visitors were forced into conceding possession, and a swift counterattack was launched by the home backs and excellent interplay saw the space created for Ewan Patrizio to drive over from close range.

The visitors then enjoyed a spell of pressure and were driving close to the tryline when a clearly frustrated visiting forward fell foul of the referee with an over-zealous use of his feet at the ruck resulted in a yellow card.

With numerical advantage the home side sensed an opportunity to stretch the Ross High defence and after a searing break by Kyle Gallacher followed up by slick handling created the space for Robbie Logan to crash over for a third home try. A successful conversion took the score to 19 – 0.

Despite the onslaught the visitors continued to defend admirably, and spectators were treated to turnovers of possession from both sides which ended in a penalty for the home side for an offence at the ruck area.

After securing possession the home forwards drove deep into the Ross High twenty-two and after a series of drives the ball was moved swiftly allowing Mike Wimbledon-Hall space to virtually fall over the line for the bonus point try. A successful conversion followed, and Dunbar’s scoring ratio was now better than a point a minute.

With the home side in total control both Lochie Milne and Ewan Patrizio were prominent with driving runs and after being held up close to the tryline good interplay saw Gregor Ronan sprint clear for an excellent try. Another successful conversion took the score to 31 – 0.

Ross High was contributing to their own problems with kicks not finding touch and another searing counterattack and excellent interplay saw the ball moved to Mike Wimbledon-Hall to break through and score in the corner.

The shell-shocked visitors were struggling to contain the incessant pressure from the home team and a combination of strong running by the home backs and the supporting back row saw a grateful Captain Callum Harding take the short pass to break through and score the simplest of tries by the posts. The conversion was dispatched between the posts, and the home side reached half time leading 45 – 0.

The effort in defence in these strength-sapping conditions was clearly taking its toll on the visitors, and they now had to face a home team with the wind and sun on their backs in the second half.

Dunbar were after another fast start and after securing possession the backs again moved the ball at pace and Mike Wimbledon-Hall showed nimble footwork to sidestep his way clear to score his hat trick try underneath the posts. The simple conversion took the score to 52 – 0.

The visitors then enjoyed a spell of pressure, and a searing break saw their winger denied by a latch ditch tacle close to the home tryline. A loose throw from the resultant lineout saw Ross High’s Second Row crash over from close range.

The resultant kick off was grabbed by a grateful Ross Thomson who broke through the defence to sprint clear and plunge over under the bar for an excellent individual try. The conversion took the score to 59 – 5. Both physios were kept busy and as a result changes in personnel followed and the game slowed down with a series of scrums.

The game entered the final quarter, and another home drive saw Lochie Milne break clear and he passed inside to his brother Finlay who was denied a simple try by the referee deeming the pass as forward. From the resultant scrum and subsequent lineout, it was Dunbar who snaffled possession and Prop Ross Thomson took the final pass to bulldoze his way over for a deserved try. Another successful conversion made the score 66 – 5.

Dunbar’s scrum provided a solid base and a magnificent crossfield kick by Gregor Ronan saw the home team encamp themselves in the visitor’s twenty-two. After securing possession the Dunbar backs saw Mike Wimbledon-Hall given the opportunity to spin his way out of would-be tacklers grasp to dot down and score another try. Gregor Ronan slotted over the conversion to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The rampant home side increased their lead further when after a solid scrum Scrum Half Gregor Ronan broke up the blindside and after timing his pass inside gave Mike Wimbledon-Hall the space to stroll over for his fifth try. The conversion took the score to 80 – 5.

An excellent kick ahead from Ross Charleton saw a Ross High lineout in their own twenty-two. Dunbar regained possession and another surging break by Lochie Milne saw him pass to his supporting brother Finlay who sprinted clear for his own second try.

With full time approaching yet more good interplay between forwards and backs saw the space created for Robbie Logan to power his over for his second and fourteenth try for the home side. The conversion made the score 94 -5 and referee Andy Law brought a highly entertaining game to a finish.

The home side were utterly ruthless with an excellent team performance which wore down the resistance of a visiting team who despite the score put in a considerable amount of endeavour throughout the game.

Attention now turns to Dunbar’s away trip to Langholm next Saturday. A stern test awaits this young team, but they will approach the game with some confidence.