Dalziel’s second half showing sees off Haddington

Sep 14 2011 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Dalziel Rugby Club

A SECOND-HALF masterclass by Dalziel saw them claim a bonus point victory over Haddington in their Premier Three clash on Saturday.

Last season, Dalziel suffered two disappointing defeats against the east coast outfit but four second-half tries at Dalziel Park this time round helped them to their second victory of the campaign.

The first half was a relatively poor affair, with Dalziel squandering numerous attacking opportunities by losing the ball in contact or conceding soft penalties, which allowed Haddington to clear their lines.

Two penalty goals by Robert Simpson gave the home side a 6-0 lead at half-time.

However, the start of the second period was a sign of what was to come. After flanker Kris Hughes made useful ground from kick-off, Kyle Matheson broke the defensive line and the ball went through three pairs of hands before Simpson went over in the corner and then added the conversion.

Ten minutes later, he did the same thing as he won a race to the ball to score after scrum-half Donnachie’s neat box kick.

Haddington enjoyed a period of continued pressure on the Dalziel line and were eventually rewarded with a well-taken try as their inside centre ran under the posts unchallenged to score, followed by the conversion.

Dalziel hit back when Hughes went in under the posts himself, the 17-year-old ghosting past the winger and fending off Haddington’s full-back to make it 25-7.

The bonus point was secured minutes later thanks to winger Derek McMillan’s try. Good pressure in midfield led to turnover ball, with young stand-off Andy Scott putting McMillan in space to outrun the covering full-back for a try.

Simpson’s third penalty kick allowed the full-back to rack up a total of 23 points on the day as Dalziel cruised to a 33-7 win.

l Dalziel’s 2nd XV played Biggar on Saturday, a team they hadn’t beaten in a number of years, and put in a solid performance to win 31-12.

James Baxendale (2), Paul White, Lewis Matheson and Alan Lynch all got on the scoresheet, with the latter’s try the pick of the lot as he sprinted in from 70 yards.

The 3rd XV started their league campaign with a convincing 55-0 victory over Lenzie’s 2nd XV, scoring 10 tries in the process.

Dalziel’s under-18s made up for the previous week’s loss by demolishing a combined Paisley/Whitecraigs team 58-12 to move top of their league.

Next week the 1st XV make the short trip to Dumbreck to play Cartha. The 2nds face Hamilton at Laigh Bent, while the 3rds and under-18s are playing at Dalziel Park, against Whitecraigs and Greenock, respectively.