Dumfries too strong for Dalziel again

Mar 14 2012 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

PREMIER Three title chasers Dumfries secured a hat-trick of wins over Dalziel this season thanks to this victory at Dalziel Park on Saturday.

Having claimed a league and cup double earlier in the season, Dumfries had to battle hard for this win, having trailed 13-5 at the break.

In an entertaining game, Dalziel enjoyed plenty of possession early on and after 10 minutes they opened their account through John Harris.

Full-back Lee McWhinnie made a half break before offloading to Harris, who scored under the posts and then converted his own try.

Dumfries hit back after their own period of pressure.

Following a number of phases, Dalziel’s defence was caught short on the blindside, leaving a five-metre gap for the Dumfries flanker to barge down the wing and score in the corner.

However, two penalties by Harris allowed Dalziel to go in at the interval with a 13-5 lead.

Dumfries scored a converted try just minutes into the half.

Both teams were playing some great rugby in an evenly contested encounter and it was the home side’s errors which ultimately led to their downfall.

Dumfries scored two late tries to secure victory and the bonus point, the last score a breakaway try, with the winger running the length of the field as Dalziel pressed for a winning score themselves.

l Dalziel’s 3rd XV secured their second successive league title after victory over Cambuslang 2nds in the final round of matches.

Davie Stewart broke the deadlock with a penalty before the Dalziel pack took a stranglehold on the game, Simon Baillie going over for the first try.

Cambuslang kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit but Dalziel responded with number eight Andy McLatchie going over.

Stewart kicked the conversion and slotted two further penalties to extend Dalziel’s lead to 18-3 at half time.

The second half was a tight affair and despite Cambie scoring a try Dalziel were comfortable winners.

They face Stewartry 2nds in the promotion play-offs at Dalziel Park on March 24.

Dalziel’s 2nd XV are still without a win since November after going down to a 27-6 home defeat against Dumfries.

They started strongly and were rewarded when two kicks at goal were dispatched by Alan Moore and Darren Moon to give the hosts a 6-0 lead.

An error at a defensive Dalziel lineout gave Dumfries their first opportunity to attack and they scored in the corner.

The visitors then scored two more tries to take a 17-6 lead in at the interval.

Dalziel contained Dumfries for most of the second half but two tries allowed their opponents to ease to victory.

Dalziel’s under-18s reached the Glasgow Cup semi-finals after Dumfries were unable to raise a team for their quarter-final clash. The youngsters play their last four tie against Paisley/Whitecraigs at Dalziel Park this Saturday.

The 1sts host Greenock Wanderers.