Dunbar 52 Berwick 29

DUNBAR recorded an impressive win over recently relegated Berwick in their first league match at Hallhill on Saturday.

The county side had a bonus point wrapped up before the break, and went on to extend their lead further after the interval in an impressive performance.

John Peebles scored the first for Mark Coull's men early on, but the visitors levelled the scores not long after with their first try.

A first Dunbar try for Connor Forlow put the hosts ahead once more, and both sides traded penalties before Berwick struck back when their stand-off broke through two tackles to score – the conversion put Berwick ahead for the first time in the match.

Veteran Peters scored the county club's third of the half, and Charlton added a conversion and penalty to put the hosts comfortably ahead as the break approached.

They secured a bonus point when Robbie Brown crashed over, and Charlton's conversion meant the hosts lead 32-17 at the break.

The second half started in the same fashion the first had kicked off, with John Peebles going over after good work by his brother Gary and young centre Andy Taylor.

A yellow card for prop Richie Gallagher allowed Berwick to narrow the gap with two tries, one converted, in the 10 minutes he was off the field.

A penalty from Dunbar captain Blair Mills opened the gap once more, before the live-wire scrum half scored two late tries to seal an emphatic win, and take the Hallhill men through 50 points.

Coull's side, joint league leaders with Hawick Harlequins – the only sides on maximum points – will prepare for a first derby of the season this weekend.

They will travel the short distance to Tranent on Saturday, aiming to maintain their unbeaten run against newly-promoted Ross High.