The first competitive fixtures of the season saw Dalkeith Ladies attend the aspire league launch festival at Lasswade.

There would be three, 20 minute fixtures to play.

Starting off with the first Midlothian Derby of the season, taking on Lasswade.
There was some good contest over the first few minutes with Dalkeith competing really well with the much larger Lasswade pack.

Good technique and impressive ferocity in the tackle and breakdown areas gave Dalkeith several good turnover ball that allowed the backline to move the ball around really well, chalking up 2 good team scores.

Although the Lasswade pack were physical in the tight they never threatened Dalkeith’s try line and were met with some crunching tackles.

Unfortunately with 3 minutes to go, in the act of one of those crunching tackles, Shirley Welsh, who had been having an excellent game to this point, suffered a serious injury and the match was called, with a 10-nil victory Dalkeith.

We wish Shirley a fast recovery and thank the NHS and ambulance service for their quick response.

After a lengthy delay due to the injury, Dalkeith got their second match on the go, this time against the Theban Hydras, this was a different prospect to the first match with a faster paced opposition.

However Dalkeith adapted really well and probed and challenged the defensive line with great illusive runs from a number of players, but standing out were McNamara, McLean and Brunton All making good yards, complemented by more direct running from McIntosh, Halliday, Roche and Nangle.

Again 3 good scores claimed in this one, and a 15-nil victory.

It was a good contest with Thebans and they showed a lot of good skills and pace at times.

After a long day and with the thoughts of the team firmly with their injured team mate it was a big ask for the team to keep going in to their last match scheduled to be against Strathendrick.

But the team dug deep and went in to the game ready to give it their all, and they certainly did that.

Some great defence and amazing support play the Green machine ran in 8 tries.

Credit to the the Strathendrick Ladies they stuck in all the way through, throwing themselves in to tackles and working hard to cover the ground.

But Dalkeith were in good form in this one and had control of the match all the way through.

40-nil the final score.

Some debuts for the club on the day from Scott (Joining both her sons as Dalkeith players) Robertson and Roche all playing their part on the day.

Try scorers on the day were McIntosh, McNamara, Campbell, Roche and Brunton.

Obviously the injury to Welsh soured the day for the team, but they did her proud in their matches and results wise it was a great start to the season.

Our next match is away to Gala Vixens on the 15th of September, who we know from last season will be a tough match, and certainly a challenging start to the league campaign.