North Berwick came out on top in the first county battle of the new season, as the West brothers guided them to a 3-36 win over Dunbar at Hallhill.

The home side were without scrum-half Blair Mills after his injury suffered the previous weekend, with Kieran Donnellan moving to scrum-half.

North Berwick, meanwhile, were able to recall Kyle Hamilton at outside centre, but would again rely on the in-form West brothers to provide their cutting edge behind the scrum.

Rhodri Thomas’ visitors started the better, with a try from stand-off Liam West inside the first two minutes. The North Berwick number 10 was wide with the conversion, but it was a perfect start for the visitors.

In what was a highly-charged encounter, both sides were reduced to 14 men inside the first 10 minutes, with one yellow card apiece seeing Ben Inglis and Robert Courtney sent to the sin-bin.

Ross Charlton narrowed the gap to 3-5, but the visitors struck again shortly after as they worked the ball wide to go over in the corner. Gus Elder was the beneficiary of some slick handling, while Liam West added the extras to make it 3-12.

And the visitors were beginning to look increasingly threatening in attack, with West denied a try by some fine covering tackling from the home side.

He did add to his personal tally with another penalty shortly after to extend Thomas’ side’s lead to 3-15.

And Dunbar’s injury troubles struck again on the half-hour, as John Peebles was forced off, with Gary Peters his replacement.

Liam West was having an outstanding match in the North Berwick number 10 jersey, and he broke the line before displaying an impressive turn of pace to score beside the posts. He added the conversion, and the visitors had a comfortable 3-22 advantage.

Dunbar replied, though, with a series of driving mauls forcing North Berwick into retreat. And they used the power of their forward pack to edge closer towards their first try of the afternoon, before Gary Peebles was forced into touch by a fine double-tackle by Jamie Dove and Murray West.

And the second half started with the visitors adding to their total, as they forced a scrum five metres out, before moving the ball wide to send Murray West over for his 14th try in just seven appearances. Grant Craig, on for Liam West, converted and made the score 3-29.

Thomas made a number of changes, introducing Leo Gordon and Grant Black for Jamie Armstrong and Ben Inglis in the back-row, while half-backs West and Grant Spence were replaced by Gareth Walker and Grant Craig.

The referee was back in his pocket on the hour, issuing another yellow card to each side, but Thomas’ troops adapted better, with Nick Lekkas, another of the club’s prolific wingers, sent sprinting down the wing to score. Craig again converted to complete a resounding 3-36 victory.

North Berwick head coach Thomas told Courier Sport: “I was very pleased with the way we played against a strong Dunbar team.

“Throughout the game we looked organised and in control, which resulted in five excellent scores.

“We haven’t won away at Dunbar for a few seasons so it was particularly pleasing to record a bonus point win and retain the Dale Trophy.

“We are looking forward to another home game this weekend before we take a short break from the league to concentrate on the cup competition.” North Berwick host Hawick Linden at Recreation Park on Saturday, while Dunbar are on their travels, as they take on Linlithgow in West Lothian.

Dunbar: A Penrose, J Peebles, G Peebles, R Courtney, A Brown; R Charlton, Kieran Donnellan; A Wightman, C Baikie, R Gallacher, S Crichton, C Bryce, Kyle Donnellan, K Courtney, G Patrizio.

North Berwick: G Fairgrieve, N Lekkas, K Hamilton, A Elder, M West; L West, G Spence; R Patterson, B Buchanan, A Gallacher, M Sanderson, I Dove, J Armstrong, B Inglis, J Dove.