Dundee High got a welcome bonus point victory at Inverleith against Stewarts Melville, leaving them in seventh place in BT National One going into the three-week break in league club rugby for the Autumn Tests.
The 24-17 scoreline was not as close as it looks with a fairly inexperienced High team fielding a new half-back combination in Fraser McKay and Henry Sampson and an 18-year-old debutant in Dundee Eagles product Cameron Mathieson.
However head coach Colin Sangster was able to welcome back No 8 George Arnott after a lengthy injury absence to counter the loss last week of Kevin Franco.
Two early tries from Fijian flier Isao Matacagi gave High the early advantage, one converted by McKay, as the home team suffered from two yellow cards.
Two further strikes from hooker Darrel Russell and full-back Blair Cochrane gave High a 24-3 advantage before the hour, two late tries from Stewarts Melville giving the scoreline a better look and a losing bonus.
Dundee HSFP 24 Stewarts Melville 17: High get vital pre-break victory
