Their premier attacking weapon returned with a vengeance, but it was Dundee High’s work without the ball that unseated champions and league leaders Melrose on Saturday.
After a furious start in which James Fleming contributed 12 points in his first home game since January, Dundee were on the defensive for the best part of an hour but held out to inflict Melrose’s first defeat of the season and open up the RBS Premier One title race.
A final scoreline of 17-13 is as close as it sounds, and Fleming’s conversion of his own try after 21 minutes was the last scoring the home team managed. But Craig Chalmers’ team barely managed an outright try-scoring chance of their own during the entire second half until late injuries disrupted the home team’s defensive system.
Aussies Robbie Lavery and Cam Wyper were both led gingerly from the field in the late going as testament to Dundee’s defensive commitment. Melrose almost capitalised when Jamie Murray steamed through only to fail to spot a two-man supporting overlap.
As head coach Ian Rankin admitted, twice in recent meetings Melrose have found a way to beat his team on virtually the final play, but while it was a relief to secure the win he always had faith.
“There’s some hurting bodies out there now but it’s testament to the guys we have on the bench who can come on and make a difference,” he said, after having to use his entire bench to shore up the defences.
“The fact we can take off Neil Dymock and Alan Brown, two of the best scrummagers in the division, and still have dominance in that area is very pleasing.”
Melrose were about at full strength for the first time in a season where they have muddled through to wins without playing at full capacity, playmaker Scott Wight back at 10 on Saturday having been absent playing for Glasgow.
Rankin was a little apprehensive about his midfield with Harry Duthie and Jack Steel late injury call-offs, but Colin Strachan admirably shored up the line with Lavery, who again showed a considerable physicality for his size.
Ranking added: “Melrose bring runners from all over and they’ve cut us up many times before, but considering our losses that was a good as we’ve been defensively all season.”
Strachan’s storming break early on brought the yellow card for Melrose skipper Graeme Dodds and let Dundee build their early lead, Danny Levison ending a scrummage pushover and Fleming sniping the second when the next scrum-five was not quite as well-controlled.
The Scotland Sevens star kicked both conversions and a penalty, and caused the usual panic whenever in pursuit of loose ball, a hugely encouraging sign after being so long out.
Dundee might have made more of their setpiece domination but it was a foul day for handling and both sides did well to make the most of their opportunities, Scott McCormick darting for Melrose’s try from a close-quarters scrum and Wight booting a conversion and two penalties.
Although Chalmers wouldn’t agree, the division looks much more fun with four weeks to go before the bottom four split off for the relegation battle.
“That’s going to be a real dogfight with only two teams staying in Premier One, but our target has always been top three and a place in the British and Irish Cup,” added Rankin.
Image PA.