ROSS High fell to a home defeat at the hands of Duns on Saturday.

Ross started brightly, though, and enjoyed a spell of possession inside the visitors’ half.

They won an early penalty, and made good ground before Ryan Strachan took a pass from Jamie Muir, and in turn offloaded to Chris Miller, who barrelled over from close range.

Nick Tinlin added the extras, and Ross High led 7-0.

Ross pinned the visitors back into their own half, and while Duns tried desperately to find gaps in the home team’s defence, the hosts put the Duns backs under pressure and forced them into errors.

An impressive defensive display was rewarded as Ross High scored a second try of the first half, when they powered a scrum towards the Duns line.

Number eight Strachan showed great control at the base, and dived on it for the second try. Tinlin missed the conversion, but Ross High led 12-0.

As the weather conditions worsened, Duns struck back with a well-worked try in the corner following a clever backs move.

This seemed to boost the Borders side as they went on the attack again, using their forwards to work their way upfield.

The visitors went through the phases and scored again just before half-time, but neither try was converted, meaning Ross High led 12-10 at the break.

As the second 40 minutes got under way, home winger Elms made a good break down the touchline, but was denied by the covering defence, before Duns took the lead after a scrum move, which saw their centre burst through to score. The try was converted, and the Borderers led 12-17.

Duns scored their fourth try late on to secure victory, and deny Ross High a losing bonus point, despite an impressive performance.

The Tranent outfit take a break from league action this weekend, but return to action next Saturday (February 11) with a must-win fixture at home to Penicuik.