Dundee HSFP 24

Premier Two

Stuart Cameron reports from Riverside Park

Everyone seems to agree that Dundee are a class act and are favourites to win the Premier Two title to give them an early return to the top flight, but Jed-Forest gave them a good run for their money on Saturday and were unlucky not to get closer to their visitors on the scoreboard.

It was a dream start for Jed with Greg Walker running in for his fifth try of the season thanks to quick hands from Seb Trotter putting him away to round the final defender.

Chris Richards converted but when James Henderson was yellow-carded on 20 minutes, Dundee took advantage with a Barry Jones penalty and a conversion of Lindsey Graham's well-worked try.

Richie Hawkins added another five-pointer before the break – again converted by Jones – but two missed penalties for Jed by Richards proved costly as they went into the break 10 points adrift.

Richards missed another kick at goal a minute into the second half but the overall performance was much better for the men from Riverside Park as they fought to retain that unbeaten home record for the season.

They were camped on the Dundee line for a long time but just could not get a score.

Jamie McCraw did touch down but the pass from Ross Goodfellow, making his 200th appearance for his club on Saturday, was forward and the try was ruled out.

On 70 minutes, a rare excursion out of their own territory saw full back Aubrey Horton run in for a breakaway try which killed off the game.

Jed stay second and, having seen most of the teams in Premier Two now, I would say they've got the best chance of the four Borders teams to be promoted.

The question for now, though, is which Borders team will stop Dundee? They've now got a five out of five record against local teams this season.

"We didn't play badly," said Ross Goodfellow after the match. "In the second half we threw everything at them and just couldn't get over that line.

"I think all the teams are going to dog it out to try and get that second promotion spot behind Dundee because they are a strong side.

"We've got Biggar next week. It's never easy to go there so we're just going to have to buckle down and try to get a win there."

You can see highlights of the game plus an interview with Ross Goodfellow on this week's edition of Borders Rugby Roundup at www.BordersRugby.net on Borders Rugby TV.

There's also action from Hawick v Heriot's, Peebles v Stewart's Melville and Gala v Biggar, plus interviews with Gary Parker (Gala), Michael Jaffray (Selkirk) and Craig Chalmers (Melrose).

You can also see that controversial try which shouldn't have been from the Gala v Biggar match and make up your own mind.

Jed-Forest: G. Walker; R. Hogg, S. Trotter, G. Hill, J. McCraw; C. Richards, R. Goodfellow; J. Henderson, D. Grieve, G. Hoburn, L. Patton, N. Cook, G. Elder, P. Pringle, S. Laidlaw. Subs: M. Weekley, P. Thomson, R. Ferguson, M. Hastie.