Dunbar 23 Penicuik 18

DUNBAR recorded a valuable East League Division 1 win over struggling Penicuik at Hallhill on Saturday.

Head coach Mark Coull welcomed back captain Blair Mills and stalwart Jamie Peters, albeit to the bench, but he was without Sandy Thomson, Dylan Moffat and John Peebles for the match.

Mills was forced into action with just over five minutes played due to an injury, before the visitors took the lead when veteran winger David Zavaroni outstripped the home defence to touch down in the corner.

Dunbar started poorly, and fell further behind when the Penicuik forwards drove over to score a second try.

Neither was converted, but the visitors held a 0-10 lead before Peters was called upon from the bench.

The veteran centre made an instant impact, as less than 60 seconds after his arrival, he crashed through to score Dunbar’s first try of the day.

Ross Charlton converted to cut the gap to three points (7-10).

Dunbar then had two penalty attempts at goal before the break, but both kicks from Mills went wide and the visitors held on to lead at the break.

Coull’s side drew level as Charlton kicked a second penalty on 55 minutes, before they took the lead for the first time when Ewan Patrizio burst clear from halfway to score.

The conversion was added by Charlton, but Penicuik hit back shortly after with their third try out wide.

Crucially for the Hallhill side, the conversion to level the scores at 17-17 fell short, before a pair of Charlton penalties secured victory.

Victory means Dunbar remain in fifth place in East League Division 1, and they are set to welcome Irish visitors tomorrow (Friday), with a 60-strong contingent travelling from Skerries.