Dalziel Rugby Club edged out by Dumfries

Oct 5 2011 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Dalziel Rugby Club

DALZIEL suffered just their second defeat of the season on Saturday, going down to a narrow 15-3 loss against Dumfries at Park Farm.

One try in either half for the hosts gave them a deserved victory with Robert Simpson kicking a penalty goal for Dalziel in the first half.

Dalziel defended superbly for long spells and were always in with a chance of sneaking a win. Indeed they were unfortunate near the end not to score from a five-metre line-out which would have secured them a well-merited losing bonus point.

Their woes were compounded when Gillon Duguid limped off with a worrying-looking knee injury although club captain Graham Calder is hopeful he will be back fit sooner rather than later.

“It’s not as bad as first feared,” he said.

“There is some swelling and time will tell the extent of the injury.

“He has had an unlucky time with injuries over the past few years but hopefully he won’t be out for too long.”

Dalziel drop to fifth in Premier Three with Dumfries replacing them in fourth.

Meanwhile Dalziel’s 2nd XV returned home victorious beating their Dumfries counterparts 22-15.

Turning 10-0 down at half-time Dalziel came out the blocks to score four tries through Paul White, Alan Lynch, Fraser McKenzie and Scott Johnstone, with the latter also slotting a conversion.

The win sees them extend their lead at the top of Reserve National Two to five points.

The 4th XV played their first game of the season, thrashing Annan’s 2nd XV 55-0, tries coming from Alan Watson, David Stewart (2),

Scott McLelland (2), Fraser Joyce, David Aitken, Barry Turnbull and Ryan Watters.

The under-18s lost 34-20 to Hamilton.

This weekend the 1st, 2nd and under-18 sides face Morgan Academy, Selkirk and West of Scotland respectively at Dalziel Park while the 3rd and 4th XVs are away to GHA and East Kilbride.