Borders 23 Edinburgh Gunners 54

Edinburgh Gunners took another step towards the Inter-Pro title and now look certain to go into next season's Heineken Cup as Scotland's top side.

The visitors were the hungrier outfit in the scrappy opening exchanges at Netherdale and surged ahead after just four minutes with a well-worked touchdown by Derrick Lee.

Borders hit back positively and reduced the deficit with a 25-metre angled penalty from Tanner Vili.

Gunners returned to the attack to bag a second try in the 17th minute - created by the vision of scrum-half Mike Blair.

The timing and delivery of his feed to Simon Webster was perfect and the wing was left with an easy cruise under the crossbar to give Brendan Laney an equally simple kick.

Vili clawed back three points for Borders with an offside penalty - but it proved only temporary respite.

And Edinburgh effectively killed off the contest with another score. Laney made amends for earlier misses by joining the pack in the wake of a lineout and being driven across.

He converted himself to open up a 13-point margin, but the home side stayed in the hunt thanks to another penalty by Vili.

Gunners went in at the break minus flanker Martin Leslie who was sent to the sin bin for a flurry of flying arms at a ruck.

But even a man down, they were still dominant and snapped up the precious bonus point when hooker Dougie Hall galloped over in the corner, and Laney goaled.

And the encounter became a romp as Blair and Lee broke through in quick succession, both tries being converted by Laney.

Gregor Townsend and Campbell Feather grabbed consolation scores for Borders, both of which were converted.

Gunners countered with further fine tries by Chris Paterson and Allan Jacobsen, both of which were converted.