Accies took to field in what can only be described as tough conditions, with wind and rain the main features. They quickly discovered that it was also a tricky surface to play on, which resulted in a lot of players losing their footing, at the wrong moment.
With the wind at their backs Accies kicked off and after some toing and froing they camped themselves in Dalziel’s half. They certainly looked to be the side most likely to score first until a break by Dalziel’s hooker midway inside their half took play into Accies half. From this first foray in Accies half a penalty was awarded by Mr Ramsay, who by the way had a good day, and Dalziel were 3 points ahead.
Accies came back at them and after some good work by the forwards the ball arrived in Chris Rhodes hands and the pass to outside centre Graham Bryden was perfectly time and Graham’s angle of attack was sublime and he ran in from 35 metres out to score beside the posts, this was duly converted by Chris Rhodes and Accies were ahead 7 – 3. It was probably the best piece of attacking rugby by either side in the whole game.

However, as with last week whenever the opposition were within striking distance of Accies posts Dalziel’s fine goal kicker converted it into points so that when the half time whistle was blown, Accies were 7 – 9 behind.
Dalziel kick off and for the next 20 minutes camped in Accies pressure zone. A ruck formed 20 meters from Accies line and with a momentary loss of composure from Accies winger, who went to tackle the opposition scrum half with the ball still in the ruck, Accies were down to 14 men for the next 10 minutes as this was deemed to be a professional foul by referee Ramsay. Dalziel put the penalty into the corner and from the ensuing lineout maul score their first try.
This seemed to put Accies on the back foot and with the score now 7 – 16, Dalziel raised their game and it has to be said were now on top of Accies. Their pack scored another try from a 5 metres lineout and when Accies were penalised 20 metres out from their posts a Dalziel player took a very quick tap penalty and ran unopposed to the posts for their third try.
This was Dalziel’s third try and they were now 22 points clear at 7 – 29, they were now pushing for the 4th try bonus point but Accies are not a side to lie down and finished the game encamped in Dalziel’s half. There are some real positive signs from this side and once the injured players return they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Next week we are hosting top of the table Dumfries to New Anniesland and we hope as many as possible will join us for lunch before the match.