A late Steve Jones drop-goal, and some backs-to-the-wall defence, saw the Borders win their first Magners League match of the season over a potent Leinster outfit.

An early Felipe Contepomi penalty brought on fears of an Irish rout. But Calum MscRae had other ideas and his superb break and grubber kick created the first try for Craig Hamilton, which MacRae also converted.

Contepomi and MacRae exchanged penalties before Leinster took the lead before the break with Stephen Keogh’s converted try. And with Contepomi’s third and fourth penalties – the latter coming soon after the restart – looked to have pointed Leinster to the winning post.

But MacRae’s third penalty sparked a Borders comeback, and following Chris Cusiter’s break MacRae’s fourth success tied the scores.

Then with time ticking down, Steve Jones found himself in the right place at the right time to drop-goal his side to a momentus victory.