Third win on spin for Duns in league and ’Quins through to round two of shield

That made it three wins out of three so far for head coach Richard Hume’s Dingers this rugby season, taking them four points clear of Royal High at the top of division three, on 14 points, though the Edinburgh outfit have got a game in hand on them.

Next up for Duns as they bid for a fourth win on the bounce is a trip to second-from-bottom Penicuik this coming Saturday, with kick-off in Midlothian against hosts yet to play a game this term at 3pm.

Touching down tries for Duns, captained by David Hutchison, against fourth-placed Lismore at the weekend during their first home game of this term were No 8 Liam Logie with four, outside-centre Finlay Valentine, fly-half Andrew Duff, inside-centre Harry Fuller, lock Aaron Mitchell, blindside flanker Nathan Burns and replacements Diezel Hume and Hamish McVie, with Duff adding ten conversions out of a possible 11.

Reviewing that game, Hume told the club’s Facebook page: “It was great to play the first of our home games, especially as we came away with a 75-10 victory over Lismore.

“There were some great performances and it was a great team performance, and Liam Logie has to get a big mention for his four tries and the way he played off the base of the scrum, as do Nathan Burns, getting named as man of the match at just 18-years-old, and Euan Rhind, making his 50th appearance in a Duns jersey.

“We now look forward to next week and we’re on the road again away to Penicuik. It’s going to be a far tougher game and a bigger challenge, but going into it off the back of three league wins, it’s looking promising.

“There’s a right atmosphere and buzz at the club the now and the boys are really loving it, so fingers crossed we can keep things rolling.”

Division two table-toppers Hawick Harlequins were in first-round national shield derby action at home to Hawick Linden at Wilton Lodge Park, winning 31-24.

That was one of only six shield fixtures nationwide to go ahead, with five being called off.

’Quins, captained by Murray Renwick, now go through to 16-tie round two on Saturday, October 31, facing division one’s Dunbar away, with kick-off in East Lothian at 1.30pm.

Earlston enter the competition at that stage as well, hosting division two rivals Forrester, with kick-off against the Edinburgh outfit at the same time.

Inside-centre Greg Walker scored two tries for ’Quins against Linden, with blindside flanker Aaron Redpath touching down another and full-back Stuart Delaney kicking two conversions and four penalties.

Touching down tries for their opponents were lock Leroi Kelly, fly-half Riley Muir, replacement Tom Huggan and openside flanker Harley Bryson, with Muir adding two conversions.

’Quins and Earlston return to division two duty this Saturday and both are at home, respectively to Leith and Edinburgh Northern, with kick-offs at 3pm.

Linden have got the weekend off but play ’Quins away again seven days later, in the league that time round.

Head coach Neil Douglas’s ’Quins and opposite number Cammy Hill’s third-placed Earlston are currently among three teams on ten points from two fixtures, along with second-placed Northern, and Keith Hedley’s sixth-placed Linden are one of four teams yet to pick up any points.