Dalziel aim to come out of cold storage and win Cup clash

Feb 11 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

DALZIEL Rugby Club were victims of the wintry weather last weekend, when their crunch fixture against runaway league leaders Howe of Fife, described by club President Gordon Turnbull as a “must-win” match, was postponed.

They now hope to entertain high-flying Kirkcaldy, who play a division above Dalziel, in the fourth round of the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup this weekend, weather permitting.

Turnbull said: “It was disappointing that last weekend’s game was cancelled, as all the boys were really up for it.

“They were determined to put on a good performance to make amends for the poor result against Edinburgh University the previous week.”

Dalziel’s season to date has been an inconsistent one, with some dazzling displays interspersed with some poor performances.

This means they will need to be win all of their remaining league fixtures to have any hope of finishing runners-up.

The club president continued: “Our lack of consistency has been very frustrating. In a lot of games the boys have played really well, showing great potential in the process.

“Then, in others, the performance level has dropped off and we’re back to square one.”

This weekend’s cup-tie will provide the perfect opportunity for Dalziel to put aside league inconsistency and attempt to emulate their heroics from last season, when they went all the way to the final of the Hydro Electric Bowl.

But they face a huge challenge from a Kirkcaldy team who have lost just once this season and are set to gain promotion to the second tier of Scottish club rugby.

Turnbull added: “It’s always exciting to pit your wits against teams from the higher divisions. The whole club is looking forward to it.

“We have to make the most of our home advantage and a win would see us take on Biggar in the next round.”