Dalziel claim second win on the bounce

Apr 27 2011 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

HAVING failed to win a game since October until last Saturday, Dalziel RFC made it two on the bounce with an entertaining 44-27 victory against Dunfermline at the weekend.

In their final home game of the season, Dalziel ran in six tries against the relegated Fifers to consolidate their mid-table position in Premier Three.

The home side started brightly but their early dominance was short-lived as Dunfermline opened the scoring with a breakaway try and conversion.

A few minutes later and Dalziel responded with a score from talismanic forward Craig Simmonds which was converted by Robert Simpson.

Two minutes later, Lee McWhinnie went over in the corner only for the referee to judge that he had put a foot in touch.

Simpson added a further penalty for the home side but yet again Dunfermline broke out of defence to score their second converted try.

Again Dalziel responded and this time McWhinnie stayed infield to score in the corner.

Simpson knocked over the difficult conversion.

Dalziel’s defence at times was nonexistent which made for an entertaining spectacle and they allowed Dunfermline a way back into the game for a third try.

Dunfermline’s two-point lead was stretched to five soon afterwards following a penalty goal which made it 22-17.

But it was the hosts who claimed a half-time lead.

From a five yard scrum number eight Simmonds picked up and fed centre James Baxendale to score. Simpson’s conversion made it 24-22.

The second half saw Dalziel up the pace of the game and an early penalty from Simpson extended the lead.

They followed this up with a try from Steven Findlay from a driving maul, and 10 minutes later he scored his second after good work by the forwards.

Dunfermline were not out of it and responded with a well-worked try of their own.

However, for the remainder of the match, Dalziel dominated, culminating in a final converted score from substitute Fraser McKenzie.

Dalziel have two remaining league fixtures left this season, both away from home.

This Saturday they travel to Morgan and on May 7 they head east to face Haddington.

Both teams are scrapping for their Premier Three survival.

Two wins would see Dalziel finish in sixth place in what is their first season at this level.

Dalziel: Steven Findlay, Stephen Baird, Les Barclay, Craig Lewis, Kris Watters, Euan Stewart, Gavin Armstrong, Craig Simmonds, Ross Donnachie, Graham Calder, Lee McWhinnie, James Baxendale, Crawford Reid, Antony Mitchell, Robert Simpson

Substitutes: Eddy Ferguson, Fraser McKenzie, George Sloan, David Aitken.