Currie 37 - 27 Dundee HSFP: Rankin rues Dundee’s costly errors in thriller

DUNDEE High coach Ian Rankin was left ruing the minor errors that proved to be the difference between success and failure in an intense encounter.

Neither side managed to assume complete control in a contest in which the lead changed hands six times before the hosts eventually landed the knockout blow.

“We put in an immense effort”, said Rankin. “We went toe to toe with them in so many areas. It was just little things. But the higher up you play it’s the little things that matter.”

Simon Marcell and Barry Mansfield touched down for the hosts, while Andy McLean had a fine solo effort for the visitors, with Jamie Forbes and Jack Steele kicking the other points as the sides reached the break tied at 17-17. Alan Brown and Ross Weston exchanged tries, with the kickers ensuring the scores were level at 27-27 entering the final ten minutes. But Forbes edged Currie back into the lead with his third penalty then converted after Mansfield raced over in the final minute for the clinching try.

Rankin’s counterpart in the home camp, Ally Donaldson, said: “It was a fantastic five-point victory. That try at the end was really so crucial because it gave us the bonus point and denied them a bonus.”

Scorers: Currie – Tries: Marcell, Mansfield (2), Weston. Cons: Forbes (3) Pens: Forbes (3). Dundee High – Tries: McLean, A Brown. Cons: Steele. Pens: Steele (5)

Currie: J Forbes; B Mansfield, D Fife, A MacMahon, D Smith; A Binikos, R Snedden; J Cox, F Scott, C Phillips, S Marcell, G Temple, M Cairns, M Entwhistle, R Weston Subs Used:  R Merrilees, A Best, S Burton

Dundee High: J Urquhart; A McLean, R Lavery, C Strachan, T Seabala; C Brown, A Dymock; N Dymock, S Forrest, A Brown, R Hawkins, A Linton, C Cumming, J Morrison, D Levison Subs Used: D Russell, G Robertson, R McIver, J Steele, H Duthie.

Referee: J Van der Merwe.