Dalziel downed by West of Scotland

Nov 21 2012 By Andrew Weston

Dalziel Rugby Club

Dalziel were left to rue their ill-discipline on Saturday as they slumped to a second consecutive West Regional Cup Group C defeat.

The home side had a player sent off and were reduced to 13 men in the second half following a sin-binning which helped West seal a comfortable 24-3 victory at Dalziel Park.

It came on the back of a positive performance last week against Hamilton Bulls and coach Neil Livett was at a loss to explain the difference.

“After three weeks where we had been building well I can’t believe we played like we did,” he said this week. “The effort is there but it’s just not clicking at the moment. It is just that final part of our game that we need to sort out. We are not far off it but it can be frustrating.

“At the final hurdle, we are letting ourselves down. At one stage we were playing with 13 men and during that time we conceded important points.

“Derek McMillan was sent off and we had another player sin-binned.

“That was similar to last season where ill-discipline cost points and games and at this level it is very difficult to claw things back. If you are not on your game you will suffer.”

Dalziel were the first on the score board with an early penalty but West began to put pressure on the home defence with centre James Cuthbertson scoring their first try. Angus Thomson then pounced on a loose Dalziel line-out to touch down late in the half before home winger McMillan was sent off for an altercation with his opposite number.

A rolling maul soon after the interval set up West’s third try scored by former Dalziel player Ross McAulay.

A fine break by West’s Harry Russell then resulted in the Milngavie lads scoring their four try as Cuthbertson went over for his second. Livett added: “We played below par and just didn’t bring our game to the table. Our centres were probably the best performers on Saturday.

“Crawford Reid and Ross Westwood were both excellent. They defended very well and kept West at bay.

“Craig Simmonds was rested and I still have three or four other players who are injured. That always unsettles things but it is no different to other teams.”

Dalziel will look to record their first cup win this weekend when they host Cartha, a side they lost narrowly to in a league clash back in September. Livett added: “Cartha have had a couple of hiccups but are a strong team and a very well organised club.”