Our first home game of the season in the Tennant's East League 3 saw Inverleith visit Kings Park. This looked a hard fixture on paper due to the league positions of both sides last season. Inverleith enjoyed a 26 -17 victory at home but this was a different Dalkeith side. Changes were made from last weekend's hard fought win over Liberton with Henderson coming in at hooker and Cooper on the flank. In the backs Hamilton came in at inside centre and Captain Simpson was on the wing.

From the kick off, Dalkeith were putting their phases together but with no real penetration into the away sides defence. The play was more or less in the middle of the park but good handling and passing saw the ball in the hands of left winger Goodman. He appeared held up in the tackle but somehow managed to free himself and run in for the first score of the day. Missed conversion Dalkeith led 5-0. Dalkeith looked as though they were enjoying the vast amount of possession but again the final ball not quite getting out wide. The second try came from a series of quick rucks set up by the Dalkeith forwards. Leckie, Cooper and Davidson all showing up well. Good handling allowed centre Hamilton to run in unopposed through the Inverleith defence and score under the posts. Missed conversion. Pressure was mounting on Inverleith and from a good attacking position near the away sides 5m line, scrum half Groom scored. This time the conversion went over. Dalkeith now led 17-0. A rare attack from Inverleith saw them ghost through the Dalkeith defence and score under the posts. Now 17-7. Game on. This score seemed to give Inverleith belief they could make a game of it now and rightly so. Good handling and poor defensive duties saw them score again with another successful conversion. 17-14. With half time approaching Dalkeith got yet another try and the bonus point. Goodman again showing up well on the left wing to beat some defenders with his blistering pace.

Half time: Dalkeith 22 Inverleith14.

The second half got underway with Dalkeith now having the slope advantage. The home side were playing some good rugby and putting pressure on Inverleith's line when replacement winger R.Lockhart went over for a good score. This was the big wingers first and last touch as he came off injured in the act of scoring, quite possibly the fastest on/off a rugby pitch I have ever witnessed. Paton kicked the conversion 29-14. The referee was now beginning to penalise Inverleith at the breakdown and from a good kick to touch from Paton, the forwards done their duty and secured possession. After some good attacking play and quick tap penalties, Rae was on hand to burst through and touch down. Conversion missed. Inverleith scored their last points of the game with a well worked try. 34 -19. Dalkeith were still not finished and with good passing and support saw Paton score and kick the conversion 41-19. With the game nearly over, Inverleith were guilty of giving away penalty after penalty with no sanction from the referee other than award a penalty. Bizarre officiating throughout this game had many watching and scratching their heads in disbelief. With 80 on the clock and Dalkeith camped on the Inverleith try line the next and final act of the day was the referee awarding a penalty try. Game over.

Full time score Dalkeith 48 Inverleith 19.

A much improved performance this week from everyone involved and another 5 points in the bag. Winning games is tough both physically and mentally but the effort out there today is the bench mark now. We move on to the slightly unknown in the RDVC next Saturday. With the students now back who knows what we'll be up against but it's another challenge we'll all face together.

A great team effort keep this going.

Mike Goodman
Head Coach