Rugby: Unbeaten Dunbar looking to make up for title heartache

The Hallhill side narrowly missed out on promotion to East Region League Division One last term after being pipped to the league title.

However, rather than being down about coming so close, they have raced into an impressive lead at the halfway stage of the 2024/25 season.

Seven wins from seven games and seven bonus points have Damian Jones’ side 15 points clear of nearest rivals Livingston.

The head coach said: “We were obviously the underdogs last year and we surprised a few people last year.

“It is nice to have a target on your back.

“It is a mark of how far the players have come, how far the team has come and how far the club has come.

“We want to keep that momentum up.

“It certainly sharpens the mind knowing people want to come and beat us or upset us when travelling away from home.”

Dunbar have been in near flawless form this season as they top East Region League Division Two

Jones praised the mental attitude of his squad, who saw their title ambitions dashed by the eventual champions Dalkeith in the penultimate game of the season.

In the end, they finished eight points adrift of their Midlothian rivals, who have adjusted well to life in East Region League Division One.

The head coach said: “We have kicked on and look to go one better.

“Everybody was clear about that at the end-of-season meeting.

“At the start of the season, that view had not changed within the playing group.

“As a coaching team, we will keep supporting the players to hopefully achieve that goal.

“We just take every game as it comes; nothing is handed out in November.

“We are halfway through the season and the one thing the season has taught us so far is that, regardless of what the scoreline looks like, everybody is capable of beating everybody else.

“There are some very talented teams in this division and you can see by the results that nothing is predictable.”

Dunbar have been in near flawless form this season as they top East Region League Division Two

Dunbar have averaged 57 points over their seven games so far this term while also boasting the meanest defence in the league.

This weekend, they get a chance to see how they would potentially measure up if they gain promotion.

A trip back to the familiar venue of Dalkeith is on offer and the reward for the victors is a place in the third round of the National Shield.

Jones was looking forward to the match and told Courier Sport: “Dalkeith are a really strong side with not only talented players but a very strong coaching team working with them.

“We will not take anything for granted.

“They are a very strong opposition and fully deserved promotion last season.”