In doing so, the 36-18 result saw the Borderers claim both the championship and the inaugural Nairn MacEwan Cup, contested by The South and Caledonia Reds for the first time.

The South was made to work hard to earn their six tries (Fraser Renwick, Callum Anderson 2, Keith Melbourne, Russell Anderson, Callum Renwick) by a stoic Caledonian defence, but ultimately the championship will be travelling south this year.

The South head coach Matty Douglas said he was delighted with his team and could not fault the commitment of his players and coaches.

“This has been a hugely competitive and enjoyable championship, and we are delighted to have come though it with three wins against really good and committed teams. All of us understand that games have come down to little more than the bounce of a rugby ball at times,” he said.

“All four teams have been loaded with quality rugby players and I think that the play that we have seen really points the signpost towards getting the best of the four teams together to represent the Scotland Club XV sooner rather than later.”

Douglas said his team was incisive when they needed to be and that he is proud to have led them into the IDC.

“We have dug in when the going got tough and our bench has shown a fantastic attitude, coming in to get us over the line each week.

“My players have delivered in really key moments in the three games and that might be the decisive factor that sealed our success. I am very proud to have led this group of men,” Douglas said.

Meanwhile, Glasgow & The West defeated Edinburgh 29-24 in the other tie on the weekend, to decide second place.

Glasgow scored a try after the 80-minute mark to give them the lead for the first time in the match.

The home Glasgow crowd must have been a factor, as Edinburgh will wonder how they let slip a 24-15 lead with only minutes to play.

Max MacFarlane’s last gasp try sent the home crowd into raptures as he secured Glasgow’s win and ensured the competition’s fifth result ended within a score.

IDC round three results

Caledonia Reds 18 – 36 The South
Canal Park, Inverness

Glasgow & The West 29 – 24 Edinburgh District
Braidholm, Glasgow