On a glorious sunny day, league rugby made a welcome return to King’s Park as East Division 2 got underway for season 2023/24.

Dalkeith had been handed a tough start to the campaign with the visit of Corstorphine Cougars. Only points difference had separated the teams last season so a hotly contested affair was anticipated.

Club captain Stephen McMillan led a Dalkeith team that had a familiar look about it although there were league debuts for Kieran Thomson, Zak Sives & Alex Selkirk, Euan Lockhart started at full back after a stint with Lasswade & Darren McMillan was a welcome sight at Centre after taking a season out.

With barely a breeze in the air and firm underfoot, conditions were ideal for a fast-flowing game of rugby & with a blast of the referee’s whistle we were off, Dalkeith attacking the fire station end.

Corstorphine’s kick went straight to touch resulting in a scrum on half way with Dalkeith’s put in. This led to a sustained period of pressure in Corstorphine’s half. Inevitably a penalty was awarded, skipper McMillan chose the kick for posts and Mikey Wilson duly obliged. Dalkeith 3 Corstorphine 0 after 5 minutes.

From the kick off Clark Young collected and fed S. McMillan, quick ball was released to the backs, Ryan Reid got on the outside of his Centre and fed Euan Lockhart who out paced the Corstorphine winger to run in from half way. Wilson kicked the extras & Dalkeith were off to a flyer. 10 – 0

Dakeith were back on the offensive from the restart. Strong running from backs & forwards took play into the visitor’s 22, but with a 2 man overlap Mikey Wilson throws an unnecessary miss pass which is picked off by the Corstorphine number 10, great cover defence thwarts the attack on half way then a Corstorphine knock on takes the sting out of the situation completely. Dalkeith breathe a sigh of relief.

Play ebbed & flowed between both 22’s for a period for a while, however, a dominant Dalkeith scrum on the half way line allowed quick, clean ball for the backs to spin wide this time Aidan Walker was the recipient of the scoring pass in a score that was practically a carbon copy of Lockhart’s earlier effort. Wilson converts 17 – 0.

Minutes later a trademark rampaging break by Centre Ryan Reid gets Dalkeith back into the opponents 22. 2 or 3 phases takes play up to the 5-yard line where Young fed Roach to dive over, unfortunately the referee disallows the score for a forward pass.

By this point Corstorphine where noticeably struggling with Dalkeith’s intense physicality and willingness to attack from any part of the pitch. More Dalkeith pressure in the visitor’s 22, a strong carry by Austin Ogweno led to Mikey Wilson finding Alex Selkirk with a beautiful inside pass and the winger went over for a try on his league debut. Wilsons kicks successful 24-0.

Corstorphine to their credit came straight back at Dalkeith and forced their way into the home 22. However solid defence led to a Dalkeith penalty turnover and play found itself back in the Corstorphine red zone where the visitors had a scrum on their 5-yard line. The number 8 picked up and made a good ground before surprisingly attempting to deftly chip the oncoming line of defence. Less surprisingly this was easily swept up and quick hands sent Selkirk scampering over out wide for his 2nd score of the day. Wilson converted 31- 0.

The half was rounded off with another Dalkeith score, this time scrum half Clark Young with a quick tap & go under the posts. Wilson kicked the extras. HT Dalkeith 38 – Corstorphine 0

Dalkeith made one change at half time with Paul Mackay replacing Kieran Thomson in the front row. With the temperature being so high it was perhaps inevitable that one of the chubby boys would have to come off first.

The opening exchanges saw Corstorphine having the bulk of possession for the first time in the match, however Dalkeith’s defence was resolute. The turnover came and bullocking charges from Stevie Halliday & Gavin Davidson got Dalkeith back on the front foot. This led to Ryan Reid being set free up the right-hand side of the park, he released Walker who in turn passed inside to E. Lockhart to run in his 2nd try. Wilson kicked 45 – 0

Dalkeith began to ring the changes with Jonny Stansfield & Robbie Lockhart on for Wilson & Walker.

55 minutes in and it was time for the Dalkeith pack to have some fun, marching Corstorphine 20 metres back off a rolling maul. The ball was spun out and E.Lockhart hit the backline at pace to stroll in for his hat trick. Young converted 52-0.

At this point coach Jason Hendrie emptied bench. Rae, Tait, A McMillan & Baines on for Halliday, Roach, Sives & Graham.

2 further scores for Dalkeith took the score to 66 – 0. Stansfield & Reid the scorers with Wilson kicking both. Young kicked a penalty to round of a fantastic performance and a final score of Dalkeith 69 – Corstorphine 0.

As season openers go this was as good as it gets & is testament to the effort of the squad throughout pre-season.

However, its only one game and Coach Hendrie will demand that the squad keep their feet firmly on the ground as there are many more battles to come.

Next up is our first visit to Hawick on Saturday to face Hawick Linden.

There’s a bus going, and spaces are available. Leaving at 11am and returning to Dalkeith for 7pm.

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