Poor starts have cost us already this season. Every player knew that from word go, we needed to start well. We have the wind behind us, first half. There is confidence throughout the players, that if we can get parity with a team, we can dig in and win. That’s exactly what we did!

We scored first, after 5mins with Malachy Keough picking and going from a lineout about 8m out from the Preston Lodge line. Missed conversion so it’s 5-0. 12mins in Preston Lodge come back with a turn over after a Lachlan Graham run through the midfield, turnover from the tackle/ruck, kick down the line, lineout, try Preston Lodge (5-5).

To and fro for the next 10mins the visitors run a try in from a scrum on our 10m line, left hand side of Mayfield, hands and they score on the left, and convert (5-12). We have several pens from rucks, playing the 9, and we get close on a couple of occasions. Solid defence from Preston Lodge and they clear twice. We have 2 forward passes given, both to Lachlan, what are the chances??

38:42 on the clock Dundee put on the pressure from a scrum on the 10m 15m junction James Mair picks a line and beats off the flanker, straight run, fires the most outrageous dummy (bought by the 13) and then feeds Ollie Stoops, steps inside the fullback and scores between the posts, converted by Duncan Campbell (12-12). We put pressure on the Preston Lodge line, scrum and lineout, a score before half time would be gratefully received! Dundee pressure between the two 15m lines and from 5m out and all we need is a gap, and patience. We have both, Tymon Kopacz picks, low body line, pure pace and power, over the line and conversion by Duncan.

19-12 at HT.

First time this season we go in at half time with a lead. We now play into the wind…

Second half, and an intercept thrown by Ollie Stoops. Now to be fair to my lad, he has scored a few intercepts in his time, so gives one back! Visitors convert and it is 19-19 at 51:06, long way to go with the clock. Several mistakes by Preston Lodge - kicks to touch missed, they have a couple of overlaps and dropped balls, get turned over, they also get a yellow card for their high penalty count. Can we capitalise? Well yes... and no. Tymon bags his second as he collects a pass middle of the park, and again pace carries him clear of defenders between the posts and it’s 26-19, bonus point collected, now to win the thing! Hard into the wind and again I'd say mistakes by the opposition allow us to keep the ball and gain some yards by Duncan’s boot. But they come back with a score by the back wide right, missed conversion (26-24).

Decent phase play and the confidence to keep the ball and wait for the chance. Seamus Gilmartin -after pick and go’s by Malachy and Ewen McDonald and the Preston Lodge defence back-peddling- he picks up, space to the right of the ruck on about 25m out and the big lock just keeps going, diving over for a try under the posts conversion by Duncan and it’s 33-24.

73:45 on the clock, one more and seal the win and hold Preston Lodge to 1 bonus point. Downfield kick goes astray and collected by Marcus Van Der Esch, speed and step through the middle, we keep the pressure on and they know they need the ball, throwing everything at out attack play, but we steadily move up the field get a penalty and a lineout about 10m out, last play. We secure the ball, drive in, penalty advantage for offside, and again, and again 83 on the clock we are camped on the line, 5m and we know to calm it, take the time, remember training and with a pick and go Malachy hits the line, short. We go again, and again runners left and right, backs are howling for the ball. Forwards want this score, Malachy hits a line and scores! Missed conversion by Duncan and it’s all over.

A great win and gives us momentum into training and another home game next week vs Peebles.
Final Score : 38-24
POTM : Malachy Keough
Ref: George Pounder
Report by : Willie Stoops 1XV Team Manger
#betterstart