Dunbar RFC were dealt a huge title blow on Saturday as they were comfortably beaten 52-3 away to Dalkeith RFC in the East Region League Division 2.

With both sides occupying the top two spots in the division ahead of the clash, a win for either side would have been instrumental in a bid to lift the title.

But it was Dalkeith who looked the superior side from the off, sailing into a commanding 28-3 lead at half time.

Dunbar were on the back foot for much of the game, and the second half continued much in the same manner with Dunbar unable to find a try.

The final score was 52-3 in favour of the home side, a massive win which could be pivotal in the context of the title.

Dunbar have now fell to second in the table, three points behind Dalkeith who also have a game in hand. Close on their tails is third placed Penicuik RFC who sit on 49 points having played the same number of games as Dunbar.

With just one fixture to go, Dunbar must win against sixth placed Corstorphine RFC on April 6 to have any chance of winning the league. That win will have to be coupled with two consecutive defeats for Dalkeith against Livingstone RFC and Hawick Harlequins RFC, as well as a large swing in points difference, to give the county side any shot of lifting the title.