North Berwick returned to winning ways by dismantling Portobello at the weekend, running out 111-7 victors.

Ahead of the match, coach Quinton Caulfield, taking the side in the absence of head coach Rhodri Thomas, made a host of changes that included Jamie Dove and Jordan Swanston replacing Ben Inglis and Jonny Riddell in the back-row, while Callum Mark took over the captaincy.

It did not take the county club long to cut loose, as Gus Elder crashed over for the game’s first try after just two minutes, with Liam West converting.

The first half was to be dominated by the West brothers, as Murray sealed a quick-fire hat-trick inside the opening 35 minutes, while Liam also grabbed a brace, to add to a number of conversions.

Recalled number eight Dove also crossed twice, both tries off the base of an impressive North Berwick scrum that was dominating the hosts.

Dove’s second try, on the stroke of half-time, took the county club over the half-century.

The visitors’ fears of a crushing defeat were to come true in the second period, as a free-flowing North Berwick side really took control and Murray West went over for two more tries.

Not to be outdone, fellow winger Nick Lekkas helped himself to a second-half treble, while there were tries for Jamie Armstrong, Harry Grierson and Leo Gordon in a comprehensive victory.

Credit, though, went to the visitors, who crossed late on from their best period of possession, after a series of penalties close to the North Berwick line saw them burrow over.

It was a hugely impressive performance from the county side, with Lekkas claiming the man of the match award, despite the efforts of the West brothers.

And coach Caulfield was delighted with the performance.

He told Courier Sport: “We were obviously disappointed with the result against Dalkeith and wanted to lay down a marker against Portobello and put in a strong performance for 80 minutes.

“It’s a really tight league and could come down to points difference so we were really happy with the result.

“The backs took their chances but the forwards really lay the ground work and dominated the set piece. All the forwards played their part in a really complete game.” The West brothers contributed more than 50 points between them to the impressive total, but North Berwick will be aware there is a much tougher test to come on Saturday when they take on Dunbar at Hallhill.

And Caulfield was looking ahead to the challenge of facing their county rivals. He added: “Dunbar is one of the biggest games of the season and there is always a great rivalry between the clubs.

“We’re going into the game full of confidence and will be looking forward to competing for the Dale Trophy, which we currently hold.” North Berwick: G Fairgrieve, N Lekkas, A Elder, C Mark, M West; L West, G Spence; R Mercer, G Black, A Gallacher, I Dove, M Sanderson, J Swanston, J Armstrong, J Dove.