Dalziel ensure survival with overdue win

Apr 20 2011 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Dalziel Rugby Club

DALZIEL RFC claimed their first win since October on Saturday to end a 13-match losing run and secure their Premier Three status for another season.

Dalziel led 21-7 at the interval and had to endure a second-half Perthshire fightback to claim the win. The visitors’ efforts allowed them to gain a bonus point which ensured their Premier Three survival.

Perthshire started well and scored an early try which was converted to give them a 7-0 lead.

For the remainder of the first half, Dalziel took control, scoring three tries, two by Anton Mitchell and one from Craig Simmonds, which were all converted by Robert Simpson to give them a 21-7 lead at the break.

As expected, Perthshire came back strongly in the second half and they made some excellent breaks in a game where there was little between the two mid-table sides. Their efforts were awarded when they scored a converted try to take the score to 21-14.

Dalziel hit back with John Harris charging down a kick and scoring in the corner to make it 26-14.

Desperate to ensure their league status in what was their final league game of the season, Perthshire continued to fight for everything and claimed another converted try, which put them in bonus point territory at 26-21.

In a dramatic climax, Dalziel missed a penalty in front of the posts and the final whistle led to surreal scenes as the losing team celebrated more than Dalziel, who had just recorded their first win in six months!

The hosts will be relieved to have won and will aim to win their remaining three games which would move them into sixth place and give the club a boost heading into next season.

Next week is Dalziel 1st XV’s final home game of the season against Dunfermline. To mark the occasion, Les’s Bistro is offering a curry and a drink for £10. This can be booked on the forum section of the club website.

Meanwhile, Dalziel’s 3rd XV secured promotion for the second season in a row on Saturday.

Their 30-12 win at Cambuslang means they go up as champions of Reserve League West Division Two.

Elsewhere, the 2nd XV played champions Ayr on Friday night in a Reserve League National Two clash.

Despite Dalziel playing some excellent rugby, Ayr finished 19-13 winners.