Duns had beaten league leaders Dunbar away from home the previous weekend, whilst the 'Quins had slumped to a home loss against strugglers Edinburgh Northern. Everything therefore pointed to a relatively straightforward home win, and the match seemed to be heading in that direction after Duns had opened up an eight point lead in as many minutes.

Playing down the Hardens slope, Duns started the match like a house on fire. After five or six phases of play, with scrum half Danny Lamb getting quick ball from his forwards, the ball was spun to the left wing where David Hutchison squeezed over in the corner. Then Dale Robertson kicked a penalty to extend the advantage to eight points.

Thereafter, the quality of play by the home side dropped alarmingly, with lots of mistakes, lots of penalties and seemingly no pattern to their game. The 'Quins gained the ascendancy, and scored a converted try from their very useful centre to narrow the gap to 8-7. Dale Robertson kicked a second penalty to stretch the Duns lead, but despite picking up their game in closing minutes of the half the home side could not extend their advantage.

Duns carelessly gave possession away shortly after the resumption, and the 'Quins took full advantage. A deft chip ahead by the visitors scrum half was gathered by their centre who ran around behind the posts to make the conversion a formality and the 'Quins had the lead for the first time in the match.

Duns huffed and puffed for the next half hour or so, but could not break down the 'Quins defence. The home side continued to give away penalty after penalty, many of them within kicking range, and if the 'Quins kicker had been on form the match would have been put to bed well before the exciting finale.

With very nearly 40 minutes on the clock the Duns pack, for whom Russell Nimmo and Richard Burns were outstanding, thundered into the 'Quins 22. There was an overlap on the left, but Danny Lamb at scrum half spotted a chink of a gap on the blind side and he sprinted through it. He was hauled down just short of the line, but just had the reach to touch down for what everyone thought would be the winning score.

Undaunted, the 'Quins came straight back at Duns and their goal kicker finally found his range with a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time which had the Duns supporters heading for the exits. Back came the home side, however, and they were awarded a penalty when the 'Quins were guilty of killing the ball at a ruck. Dale Robertson stepped up to kick the winning goal and took his personal tally for the season over 100 points.

The final whistle brought cheers and sighs of relief in equal measure. This was not a pretty performance by Duns, but a couple of seasons ago it was a game which Duns would almost certainly have lost. The new resolve in the side carried them to the win, and maintains their third place in the table.

This weekend Duns travel to Penicuik, for the first match in the return round of fixtures.