West of Scotland 21,

Dundee HS FP 12

BEFORE the league campaign kicked off, most pundits would have backed

GHK as the most likely Glasgow side to gain promotion. With exactly half

the fixtures played, however, the Glasgow challenge is coming not from

Anniesland but from Burnbrae.

While the poor form of GHK can in part be blamed on their horrendous

catalogue of injuries, the cause of the rise of West's fortunes is more

difficult to define.

What tangibles can explain how a young side which gave the ball away

at the contact points with alarming regularity can, in a few short

weeks, have developed into a powerhouse outfit producing that rare

commodity this season -- exciting running rugby.

West were simply a revelation on Saturday and while coach Sandy

Service was critical that their workrate had slackened in the last

quarter, he felt that there was no other second-division side which

could have lived with his team in that first hour.

West's first sortie realised a penalty for Dave Barrett after a

softish award for a late tackle on the stand-off. Within minutes they

had added a try -- prop David Jamieson touching down following a scrum

five. The build-up had featured controlled mauling and driving, crisp

handling, and quick ball regeneration.

The pattern continued and only resolute Dundee defence and errant

goal-kicking by Alan Williamson held the score to 8-0.

Two quick scores immediately after the interval -- a Barrett penalty

and a Gordon Bulloch try courtesy of Barrett's deft pass, converted by

Barrett -- gave a truer reflection of the home dominance.

In the last quarter Rod James and Ian Hope managed tries for the

visitors, Chris Robinson converting the second score, but between the

touchdowns Barrett kept his side comfortably ahead with a lazily struck

drop goal which just crept over.

West of Scotland -- T Greenshields; D Riding, A Bulloch, R Little, A

Williamson; D Barrett, F Stott; S McGregor, G Bulloch, D Jamieson, S

McKechnie, G Perrett, D McLeish, J Shaw, J Lonergan.

Dundee HS FP -- S Longstaff; M Cousin, P Rouse, D Hamilton, J Jardine;

C Robinson, G Sandford; S Lithgow, R James, N Robertson, G Hayter, S

Campbell, C Samson, I Hope, T McWhirter. Replacements -- R Arthur for

Hamilton (52min), S Finnie for Cousin (65min).

Referee -- R Megson (Edinburgh Wanderers).

SCORERS: West of Scotland -- Barrett, 2p, 1dg, 1c; Jamieson, 1t; G

Bulloch, 1t. Dundee HS FP James, 1t; Hope, 1t; Robinson, 1c.