Highland turned in their best performance of the season but still had to bow the knee to an outstanding Melrose side who eased through 36-30 in a rip-roaring game watched by a big, enthusiastic crowd at Canal Park.
Highland head coach Davie Carson admitted the reverse now makes it hard for his side to claim the one promotion on offer.
The defeat leaves his side 19 points behind leaders Kelso but with a game in hand on the Border side.
Carson said: “This is without exception the best National League One game I have ever seen.
“I am disappointed in the outcome but very proud of the performance.
“We matched them in nearly all aspects of the game, although it was their pace out wide which did for us.
“The defining moments in the game were just before and after half time when Melrose scored two tries.”
Highland were quickly into their stride, scoring a well-worked try through full-back Rhuaridh McDonald, converted by stand-off Scott Fraser, only to concede an unconverted touchdown.
The Inverness side were well up to the challenge, hitting back with a converted try, attributed to scrum half Hugo Crush, a live wire throughout.
Despite the Greenyards outfit clawing back one of their own, Highland looked certain to turn around in the lead, especially as Fraser kicked a penalty and winger Craig Findlater raced in a defence-splitting run to give his side a 22-17 lead, only to surrender it to the determined visitors after another converted try.
🦅🏉🟢🔴 Congratulations to @melroserugby on their well deserved 30-36 away win at Canal Park.
There were a few candidates in the Melrose team today, but the winner of the Man of the Match as sponsored by The Walrus & Corkscrew Wine Bar is Donald Crawford 👏👏👏 🍾🍻
👊⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/DQ0UjfclUz— Highland Rugby Club 🦅 (@HighlandRFC) November 12, 2022
Immediately after the interval, Melrose pushed further ahead, giving the home side a hill to climb at 29-22 in arrears which quickly became a mountain at 36-22.
To their credit, Highland battled back through a Fraser penalty and a try touched down by lock Grant Jamieson to give the homesters a losing bonus point for being within seven points of their opponents’ total, which added to the one for scoring four tries, made for a good return against one of the most entertaining sides in the league.
The performance also sets them up nicely for their eagerly awaited derby game with Aberdeen Grammar on Saturday at Rubislaw.
Shock for Shire at Thurso
In the top Caledonian game of the day, Caithness stunned Aberdeenshire in Thurso, throwing the race for third place in Caley Division One wide open after winning 34-27.
At the head of the division, Dunfermline eased five points ahead of Ellon, who were not in action, after beating Hillfoots 62-7 in Fife.
In Caley 2 North, Mackie were comfortable 54-5 winners at Duff House where the hosts were no match for the Redcloak side.
But it was league leaders 2nd Highland who were the most impressive in their 80-12 win against Shetland.
In the same division, 2nd Aberdeen Grammar failed to break their duck, sliding to their eighth defeat of the season to city rivals 2nd Gordonians at Rubislaw, losing 46-20.
In Caley 3 North, Garioch maintained their unbeaten run, easily seeing off the challenge of 2nd Aberdeenshire 55 -0, while in the northern section of the division Kinloss Eagles were 85-0 winners at Turriff.
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