In a glorious gala of rugby, the autumnal setting proved to be a wonderful backdrop to some tremendous sport.

After a tough set of equivalent fixtures last year, Earlston proved they had learned from that experience and emerged with two wins from three matches and a total of 15 excellent tries.

Playing a well drilled home side, the U13 Earlston boys defended well in the opening exchanges and scored at a steady rate to win an entertaining encounter by six tries to two, the visiting half backs of Jamie Brown and Christian Townsend, ably using some excellent quick possession from the Earlston pack.

Nicholas Henderson’s cutting edge and the rampaging runs of Alex Daunas complimented this approach and a fine away win was secured. Earlston found it much tougher in the U14 exchanges with a six tries to one defeat.

The Borders guests were never able to master an excellent display from the home pack, but the strong running of Darren King allowed him to secure a well deserved consolation score.

Pleasingly, the Earlston visitors showed real character and a high amount of resilience to keep going right to the end in this match.

The S3/4 level match was played on the historical setting of the “Coll” 1st XV pitch, one of the first ever rugby pitches in Scotland and Earlston did themselves justice with a win borne out of excellent interlinking between backs and forwards, where the wily play and leadership of Will Owen proved crucial.

Plans are being put in place for Glenalmond to travel by train to the Borders for next year’s fixture and take in an afternoon Melrose fixture which promises to be an exciting development for the history of this fixture.

The Earlston HS U16 XV play Jedburgh Grammar School in the next round of the Scottish Cup at Earlston High School today (Wednesday) at 2pm and, next weekend, Earlston host Peebles High School in the next set of South Schools friendly fixtures.