Dunbar fell to a second consecutive defeat at the hands of Irish visitors at the weekend, losing narrowly to Skerries RFC.

The Irish club brought 68 members to Hallhill, including 29 players, giving them the initial numerical advantage in a fixture that dates back to 1952.

Dunbar fielded as strong a side as possible, with head coach Callum Low including himself among the replacements.

The early exchanges were evenly-matched, with neither side able to stamp their authority on proceedings.

The first try came after 10 minutes, when a well-worked move saw Blair Mills beat a covering Skerries defender to score. Ross Charlton converted and Dunbar led 7-0.

The Irishmen were not to be outdone, though, and levelled moments later by virtue of their powerful pack. The Skerries’ big men powered over from close range and Robbie Jenkinson tied the scores with the conversion.

Dunbar stand-off Charlton then kicked the hosts in front with a penalty, before the Hallhill fans were celebrating a second try of the opening half-hour.

A brilliant break from Antoin Penrose nearly saw him over the line, but he was hauled down by the Skerries full-back. A penalty followed and Keith Courtney was the man on hand to crash over.

Charlton’s kick made it 17-7, with Dunbar looking good value for a 10-point lead.

But Skerries, from just outside Dublin, hit back once more on 31 minutes, as a break out wide saw Eddie O’Mahony go over. Jenkinson’s extras were good and he kicked a penalty to tie the scores at 17-17 at half-time.

The visitors started the second half stronger and took the lead after 44 minutes when Jenkinson kicked a penalty.

Good driving play by Low’s side’s forwards took them over the line and, after some deliberation, the referee awarded the hosts a penalty try.

Kieran Donnellan, off the bench for Charlton, added the simple conversion to put Dunbar ahead again in an entertaining contest.

An impressive crowd had gathered at Hallhill and they would see Dunbar fall to defeat, with Skerries’ third try, five minutes from the end, following an earlier score from their prop Aquilla to retake the lead, confirming the result.

They worked the ball well and Dunbar eventually ran out of numbers, as the visitors capitalised to score.

Jenkinson, the impressive Skerries scrum-half, converted, to make the gap eight points on 75 minutes.

A late try from Chris Baikie was not enough, as Skerries claimed their first victory on Scottish soil since 2003, and home skipper Kyle Donnellan presented counterpart David Quirke with the trohpy at a post-match function.

Dunbar: A Penrose, J Peebles, G Peebles, J Peters, K Smith; R Charlton, B Mills; A Wightman, C Baikie, R Gallacher, D Moffat, C McLellan, K Courtney, C Bryce, Kyle Donnellan.