It appeared as if Gala would again miss out on the extra point until Euan Dods stretched out over the line in the right-hand corner after the defence earlier had played a key role in keeping out their opponents, who had lost their previous three matches.

Significantly, defences often win matches, and the four tries are a bonus, so perhaps it was no wonder that Graham was smiling at the final whistle.

“I thought that when we put it together, we are a very dangerous side. Our defence was fantastic with some big hits going in and it showed as they (Boroughmuir) never crossed our line,” he said.

“In the second half, I thought that we played some sublime rugby. I think our fitness is above where they are, and we scored some really good tries.

“It is not very often that you hear me say that I am very pleased about it for Boroughmuir put us under a lot of pressure in the middle of the second half.” However, there was despondency in the Boroughmuir camp. “We showed good endeavour, but they wore us down,” said former Gala stalwart and Boroughmuir coach Bruce Aitchison.

But it would be the performance, as well as the the result, that satisfied Graham. The inclusion of Rory Sutherland, who joined Edinburgh from Gala at the end of last season, had a huge effect in the front row; young Ruairi Howarth, at the Edinburgh Academy, punched with a talent that belies his years; while the pack had control and the backs fed in on that supremacy.

Gala fell behind to the first of Greg Cannie’s two penalties before they struck with two tries. George Graham burst through for the opener from Euan Dods’ support and brother Gary added a second as, having been stopped once, powered over for Gala to lead 20-6 at the break.

A score early in the second half from Alan Emond under the posts drove Gala towards the bonus point, which Dods finally gained three minutes into injury time.

Howarth, an increasing breed of young players emerging into the Gala side, such as Rex Jeffrey and Sean Johnston, kicked three conversions and two penalties. And therein lies increasing optimism for the future.

Gala: C. Dods; B. Thompson, K. Young, A. Emond, S. Law; R. Howarth, George Graham; R. Sutherland, C. Mackintosh, G. Robertson, C. Weir, S. Johnston,. Gary Graham, J. Irvine, E. Dods. Replacements: R. Anderson, S. Cairns, T. Weir, R. Jeffrey, G. Somerville.