There were jubilant celebrations at Ross High Rugby Club on Saturday as the club saw off Gala YM to claim the BT East Region Bowl.

The visiting Borderers took an early lead after just two minutes, when Dean Keddie kicked a penalty, and he had a chance to double their lead, but his second penalty was wide of the mark.

In a match dominated by the boot, Keddie was pinning the county club into their own half, using the wind to their advantage in the first 40 minutes, but the Ross High defence was resolute throughout.

The county club missed two penalties of their own through Nathan Hood, but they turned around just three points down.

The home team would have been pleased not to have conceded any further points in the opening period, particularly given Gala YM’s territorial dominance.

But Ross High levelled matters shortly after the resumption, as Hood made amends for his earlier misses to tie the scores at 3-3.

The match was evenly poised, with neither side able to get the ascendancy, until the visitors had Blair Reavely sent to the sin bin.

From the resulting penalty, the hosts kicked to touch, and although the Borderers repelled the initial attack, Ross High were not to be denied as Steven Ketchin went over for the try.

Hood landed a superb conversion to put the county side 10-3 ahead.

The visitors, knowing they needed a converted try to take the match into extra-time at least, piled on the pressure, but once more the Ross High defence stood firm, and after YM infringed at the breakdown, they cleared their lines upfield.

And in the dying seconds, victory was secured, as a loose ball was hacked ahead, and the bounce of the ball allowed Matthew Martin to score the second try of the afternoon.

Hood again converted, and the hosts celebrated claiming the silverware, as they now go on to the National Bowl competition, against the winners of the other three regional competitions.

The club return to league action at home tomorrow (Saturday) as they take on Royal Dick Vet College, with kick-off at 2pm.