Published: Thursday, 30th April, 2009 4:30am

Dunbar beaten heavily

Comments (0) | Print | Email

Duns RFC 64 v 3 Dunbar RFC

Dunbar were overwhelmed by a strong and dynamic Duns team in this SHE Scottish Plate semi-final tie.

In front of a big crowd at the Hardens, which included a significant travelling support from Dunbar, the visitors found it hard to cope with the pace of the Duns backs and the strength of their forwards.

Dunbar were first to get points on the board with a Keiran Donnellan penalty awarded against Duns for killing the ball at a ruck. This, however, was to be the sum total of their scores on the day.

It certainly did not help the Dunbar cause that their winger was concussed in the first five minutes, followed by the loss of the full-back, inside-centre and stand-off (in his case temporarily).

With forwards in the back line and players generally having to fill all sorts of unfamiliar positions, the writing was on the wall from early on in the first half.

This is to take nothing away from the home side who, roared on by a vociferous support, pressed home their advantage with clinical precision.

On the 15 minute mark, man of the match, Dale Robertson burst through the Dunbar raks to score the first try and this was closely followed by a penalty.

Two more tries followed before half-time. Speedy winger Kevin Aitchison raced in to score and Robertson added to his tally. Both were converted by Ged Lamb.

The second half served up some painful stuff for the Dunbar support to watch as Duns turned the screw with a penalty and six more tries from Aitchison, Robertson, Lamb, Hutchison and Reed.

There is no doubt that, with a full team for 80 minutes, Dunbar would have given a better account of themselves, but the superior team on the day won and, at the end of the match, the Dunbar players were quick to wish Duns all the best in their final against Aberdeen University at Murrayfield.