A 29-14 defeat to St Aloysius College at Mayfield ended Dundee High School’s hopes of progressing in this season’s Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup.
As a result, Dundee High School drop down to the shield competition this season to join other first round cup losers.
High School, rebuilding after a successful season last session, were always going to be underdogs against a St Aloysius College side that were in the doldrums last year but are now reconstructed under director of rugby, Mark McKenzie, the former Stirling County and Scotland A stand-off.
Dundee High’s coach Ewan Jack conceded that it was the forward battle that was costly.
He said: “St Aloysius were very big up front and we didn’t put down runners round the edges of the rucks but every time we moved the ball wide we looked dangerous.
“I genuinely believe we could have won if we’d made our first-up tackles.”
Next Saturday Dundee High face Dollar Academy, whose first round cup game against Hutchesons’ Grammar will go ahead a week tomorrow.
Strathallan displayed their strength with a 63-5 win over Stewart’s-Melville College on Saturday.
Director of rugby, Andy Henderson, a flanker for Caledonia Reds, is this season being assisted by the former Glasgow Warriors and Scotland prop Ed Kalman.
“Ed Kalman is settling in to his coaching role with the first XV and the players really enjoy his input,” said Henderson.
Strathallan’s neighbours Glenalmond, who opted to re-enter the cup after winning the plate competition last season, have a first-round home tie against Edinburgh Academy tomorrow.
Outwith the cup, Morrison’s Academy beat Queen Victoria School 44-38.