Dundee High 38-32 Aberdeen Grammar: Dundee High claim trophy in nine-try thriller

DUNDEE High emerged from an astonishing game of rugby to become the first winners of the Caledonia Cup, beating north-east rivals Aberdeen Grammar.

They ran in five tries to four, despite having three key players in the Club International Scotland side who played its Irish counterparts in Dublin the night before.

“It seems we are being penalised for our success at club level,’’ said an unhappy Dundee coach Ian Rankin.

Aberdeen also had two players in the same boat, and all five eventually came off the bench to make big contributions to the game. Following a dull first half hour, which the home side shaded 9-6 on the back of three penalties, the home crowd were then treated to seven tries in the space of 27 minutes which gave them a 21-6 lead at the interval.

In the second period, Grammar fought back, running in four tries. But the homesters were up to the challenge, and scored three of their own with Simon Forrest collecting a try double against Grammar at Mayfield for the second time this season.