Dogged Dalziel push Hamilton Bulls all the way

Nov 15 2012 By Andrew Weston

Dalziel Rugby Club

Second rower David Fitzpatrick scored on his first team debut for Dalziel on Saturday but it was not enough to secure the Motherwell lads a win in their derby clash against Hamilton Bulls.

Despite putting up brave resistance Dalziel went down to a 23-13 defeat at Leigh Brent in the West Regional Cup Group C.

Favourites Hamilton, who play in the RBS National League, went in at the interval 12-6 ahead, Ross Donnachie having kicked two penalties for the visitors.

The next score was always going to be pivotol and it went the way of Hamilton. Kenny Brown broke up the left touchline before off loading to Grant McCowan who dived over to make it 17-6.

Ross Inglis stretched the Bulls lead to 22-6 with another try but it was Dalziel who had the final say, Fitzpatrick scoring a consolation try with Donnachie converting.

Despite the result Dalziel coach Neil Livett took positives from the match against a side who play in a higher division.

“I was highly delighted with how the boys played,” he said this week. “The stuff we are doing in training is beginning to sink in and we are getting better.

“It was a really competitive game and given the match was obviously a local derby, that added to the occasion.

“There were a couple of tactical mistakes from our point of view which allowed them to score tries. That was really the difference in the game. I felt if we had taken some of the chances we made ourselves the result would have been somewhat different.”

The former Caithness coach continued: “We competed well in the line-out and stole quite a bit of ball. Kris Watters was instrumental and lead the line-out very well. It’s just a pity we could not capitalise

“David Fitzpatrick has been with the club for three years now and it was good to see him get the try.

“I am already looking forward to the rematch at Dalziel Park in a few weeks time.”

Next up for Dalziel in Group C is West of Scotland, a side they lost to 39-24 at Burnbrae in a league clash back in September.

Livett added: “I expect a better show than we put in against West last time. We had a four week spell earlier in the season where we didn’t get near our potential. It started at West and comparing that to the way the lads are performing now, it’s chalk and cheese.”

Meanwhile Dalziel youngsters Grant Stewart, Chris Mullin, Greg Smith, Gordon Campbell and Cameron King have been selected for the Glasgow U-18s squad whilst Callum Glover has been selected for the Glasgow U-16’s squad.