Falkirk v Dunfermline - 14/02/10
It was back on familiar ground when Dunfermline played Falkirk for the third time this season. Dunfermline started the game brightly by pressing Falkirk, and were rewarded by a Niall Davidson try in three minutes which was converted by Connor Simpkins to give Dunfermline a 0-7 lead. Dunfermline continued to attack, but were kept at bay by a much improved Falkirk who defended well. In the ninth minute, Falkirk won a scrum for Dunfermline going over the top of a ruck. This was the first of a half dozen or so scrums that Dunfermline easily took against the head, however a loose kick by Harry Hewitt at Stand Off gave the ball back to Falkirk who were unable to capitalise on this unexpected gift. They were to rein the score back one minute later with a good try from a speedy winger who ran the ball in from 25 metres after the Falkirk pack won the ball from the loose, 5-7 Falkirk. This was a temporary state of affairs when, in the 15th minute, Dunfermline scored the best try of the match. Niall Davidson and MacAulay Simpkins were caught up in a ruck from an attacking position on the half way line, and the Dunfermline pack ably rucked the ball out. With Angus Thomson and Cammy Dunn dropping back in to cover the centre positions, the ball was fed out quickly from the half backs to Connor Simpkins who ran the ball from some 30 metres to touch the ball down, but was unable to convert his own try, 5-12 to Dunfermline. The game continued to be played just inside the Falkirk half with neither side gaining ground, and any Dunfermline attacks were stifled by a resolute Falkirk defence. Falkirk did have a few breaks and, on a couple of occasions, were unlucky not to score when they were stopped by the Dunfermline back line. It was Dunfermline who were to score again in the 24th minute, when Connor Simpkins put in a cross field kick which was collected by MacAulay Simpkins, who took off like a scalded cat down the wing leaving the Falkirk cover for dead. His try was converted by his brother to take the score to 5-19 Dunfermline. Late in the first half, Dunfermline were to score again from a ruck on the Falkirk try line which released Cammy Henderson to put in a mazy jinking run from two feet to score between the posts for an easy conversion kick by Connor Simpkins, Falkirk 5, Dunfermline 26. The scoring was still not over when in the final moments of the first half, Falkirk scored their second try, Falkirk 10 – Dunfermline 26.
The second half began with Falkirk showing that they were by no means a beaten side, and immediately went on the attack, and only some steady defending prevented them from adding to their score. The Falkirk pack were starting to dominate the scrums and not losing against the head as they had in the first half. However, they were not so dominant in the line out where Dunfermline were still winning ball from the Falkirk lineout. Much of the early play in the second period was played in the Dunfermline half and it was Dunfermline’s turn to put in a solid defence. It wasn’t all bad news, as Dunfermline had some good break out attacks to move the play away from the Dunfermline line. Half way through the second half, Dunfermline moved the ball to within 5 metres of the Falkirk line when they were awarded a scrum. This was duly won by Dunfermline and picked up by Alex Foster, the No 8, who scored with the try converted by Connor Simpkins. From the kick off, Dunfermline attacked again, but couldn’t put together a coherent attack due to the ball being thrown down the line by players who didn’t look where they were passing. In the 51st minute Connor Simpkins scored again, but was unable to convert his own try, Falkirk 10 – Dunfermline 38. In the final period of play, Falkirk continued to press and were unlucky not to score from an interception when the Falkirk centre was run into touch.
This game was not as one sided as the score suggests as Falkirk are a much improved side from that played at the start of the season. The Dunfermline performance was excellent in spells, but poor in others, characterised by some poor passing, too much kicking of the ball rather than running it and unsupported breaks. The Back Row is developing into a strong unit, but each of the back row players made effective breaks from the loose or base of the scrum, but were unsupported by the other two members who were posted missing. In the backs, the ball was slow in getting out to the wide players, but when it did, MacAulay Simpkins and James Heron displayed a turn of pace that asked questions of the Falkirk defence. On balance, this was a workmanlike display from Dunfermline, but if the poor periods of play could be cut out, there is enough skill there to give anybody a good game. Next Sunday, Stirling County away.
Perth v Dunfermline - 24/01/10
On a cold and wet afternoon on the North Inch at Perth, Dunfermline Under 15’s narrowly lost to their hosts fifteen points to nil in a friendly and Dunfermline’s first match since the 29th of November. From the kick off, by Perth, the home side put the visitors under a lot of pressure. Dunfermline were making tackles and bringing down the Perth ball carriers but continually were unable to load the rucks allowing Perth some very good possession. On the few occasions in the first fifteen minutes that Dunfermline had the ball in hand they showed some considerable handling skills but the support running just wasn’t at its best so Dunfermline found it difficult to make much ground.
With the game being played in the Dunfermline half, it was Perth who scored the opening try, from a ruck near Dunfermline’s ten metre line, Perth cleared out the ball and using their hooker as the extra man put the ball through the hands until their right wing received the ball in space and crossed the line to score an unconverted try. Dunfermline upped the tempo after this and spent a good few minutes in the Perth half but couldn’t make anything of their territorial advantage. So it was Perth that made a break and came very close to scoring but the Perth inside centre was tackled five meters out by Lliam Quarm, who forced a knock on. From the resultant scrum, then ruck, the visitors were able to clear their lines when Perth were adjudged to have come into the ruck from the side. This was a feature of the Perth side’s game and continually relieved the pressure on Dunfermline. The visitors worked the ball down into the Perth twenty-two with some good drives and rucks but lost possession in a good position from a knock on. From the scrum and clearance kick, Dunfermline worked more good moves and a kick ahead after a Perth fumble almost gave Dunfermline a score but the ball made the deadball line before being grounded by Alex Foster. With Dunfermline having more forwards than backs, back row forwards were being used in the three quarter line. Half time score Perth five Dunfermline nil. The second half started with the wind and rain in Dunfermline’s faces and the cold was beginning to tell, as more passes were being mishandled by both sides and some injuries too, as Angus Thomson was forced to retire after injuring his ribs in a tackle. It was Perth who used the elements to their advantage and a kick out of defence meant that Perth were tackling Dunfermline deep inside the visitor’s half. Perth continued to out-ruck Dunfermline and from some sustained pressure Perth worked the ball through the hands again and playing uncomplicated rugby, their outside centre made the decisive break out wide to score their second unconverted try. Perth ten Dunfermline nil.
Dunfermline were still competing and Perth were not out of sight, but Dunfermline started to take the wrong options, miss passes went to ground. Moves that are more usually seen in American Football went wrong and the Dunfermline line out started to falter. All these errors gave Perth more possession and ultimately their final try, which was very similar to their first as the ball was worked back from a scrum and sent through the hands again to the right wing who scored out wide, again no conversion. Final Score Perth fifteen Dunfermline nil.
Coach Ben Mallinson was very positive after the game and noted that the pack played well but needed to be more determined at rucks and mauls and better schooled at the line-out. The backs’ alignment wasn’t perfect, and perhaps moving forwards into the backs was a factor there, but tackling had been good. Training on Wednesday night at Woodmill 7pm to 9pm will sort most of the rustiness out!
Dunfermline v Hawick - 15/11/09
First up in a doubleheader for Dunfermline was Hawick at Bridgehaugh. Dunfermline started well and dominated in the loose and the set piece as well as the lineout, and had the Hawick pack on the back foot for much of this game of 20 minutes per half. The Dunfermline pressure paid off when, in the 5th minute, Adam Mackenzie finished off a slick passage of handling by the forwards to go over for his first try for Dunfermline. Unfortunately due to the tight angle and poor conditions, Connor Simpkins was unable to convert. 2 minutes later, Hawick breached the Dunfermline defence to even the score with another unconverted try. Much of the rest of the half was played in Hawick territory with the occasional Hawick foray into Dunfermline territory. Dunfermline continued to defend well and Hawick never really looked like scoring. Half time, Dunfermline 5, Hawick 5.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first in what proved to be a physical encounter with Macaulay Simpkins being substituted for a high tackle on a winger who had persistently high tackled and fouled him throughout the game so far. It looked like Hawick were about to break the deadlock with a break and a grubber kick down the left, but it was that man McKenzie again who dropped on the ball to stifle that attack in the Dunfermline 5 metre area. Hawick scored what proved to be the winner in the 36th minute when a moment of panic in what had been an impeccable Dunfermline lineout gave the ball back to Harry Hewitt who had little time to make the kick. Unfortunately Hawick gathered the ball and broke too quickly for the Dunfermline defence to take Hawick into a 12 – 5 lead. They nearly scored again but some quick thinking by Neil Davidson prevented this when he dropped on the ball and then ran it into touch.
This was a game that Dunfermline didn’t deserve to lose given their dominance in the forwards where Adam McKenzie had his best game so far in the second row. The backs also put up an excellent display where Neil Davidson continued to show that he can pass a ball, also marshalled the players who were playing out of position in the backs and allowed the backs to keep their shape, and largely nullify any Hawick attacks.
Stirling County v Dunfermline
After a 10 minute break it was Stirling County. This was a different game altogether with a rampant County running in their first unconverted try in two minutes. Stirling were their usual well organised selves and doubled their lead 3 minutes later. Dunfermline put up a dogged defence with the Back Row of Quarm, Dunn and Thomson more than playing their part. Despite this, Dunfermline were unable to stem the tide when County scored again in the 17th minute, taking the ball from a Dunfermline lineout and scoring yet another unconverted try. Dunfermline still ran the ball at County, but were unable to make progress, but unlike the Hawick game, much of this game was played in the middle of the pitch. In the final minute of this half, County got their fourth unconverted try to go in at half time with a 20-0 lead.
Like the first half, County added to their tally in the 22nd minute with another unconverted try from pressure in the Dunfermline 22 from a County scrum. Again Dunfermline put up a good defence and used this to run the ball at Stirling on a number of occasions without gaining anything from their efforts. Dunfermline were forced to rotate key players as they were starting to pick up injuries after almost an hour of rugby, played in particularly heavy conditions. Stirling got their 6th unconverted try against a tiring Dunfermline side to go into a 30-0 lead. The game was by now over as a contest and County completed their scoring with two converted tries in the 32nd and 34th minutes. Dunfermline had a final flourish with an excellent solo break and run from Cammy Dunn who was heading between the posts, but unfortunately he went over on his ankle just short of the Stirling line for what would have been a consolation try.
Despite the 42-0 score line, Dunfermline did not disgrace themselves as their heads never went down in this game. Although they played the same amount of time as Stirling, it should be remembered that Stirling had an hours rest between games compared to Dunfermline’s 10 minutes. In both games, Dunfermline played exceptionally well in the loose and the set piece, showed some resolute defending throughout and were more effective in the rucks than they have been this season so far. A similar performance against Moray in the bowl on the 29th November will give them a great chance of progressing to the next round of that competition.
Dunfermline v Perthshire – 8/11/09
This was a must win game for Dunfermline to secure second spot in the Midlands 2 League. Both sides started well with Dunfermline attacking from the kick off. The Dunfermline pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute which was despatched by Connor Simpkins, ably deputising for injured regular kicker, Jamie Goodwin. However, Perth continued to press, and it looked like they were about to make up the deficit when they were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute for a knock on by Dunfermline. It was not to be for Perth on this occasion, as their penalty fell short of the Dunfermline posts. By now the Perth pack was dominant and giving their Dunfermline counterparts a torrid time in the set piece as Ross Clark, back at Scrum Half, found himself having to pick the ball up from a reversing scrum. The rest of the first half was played mainly in the middle of the pitch, but Perth had Dunfermline under the cosh on a couple of occasions, but the Dunfermline defence was resolute and stood firm. Dunfermline put together some attractive attacking rugby themselves with some penetrating runs from the backs, particularly the Simpkins brothers. Despite this, it was Perth who made the breakthrough with an unconverted try in the 22nd minute, Dunfermline 3, Perth 5. Despite this, Dunfermline played better in the final 8 minutes of the half and were awarded a Penalty in the 27th minute which Connor Simpkins sent the same way as his first to give Dunfermline a 6-5 lead at half time.
The second half was a different story from the outset with Lliam Quarm running out from the half way line to firmly plant the ball between the Perth posts for an easily converted try by Connor Simpkins, to take Dunfermline into an 8 point lead. Three minutes later, it was Connor Simpkins himself who went over in the corner for Dunfermline’s second try. Unfortunately he was unable to convert the try, but still extended Dunfermline’s lead to 13 points. Credit where credits due, Perth still took the game to Dunfermline, but were starting to tire as they only turned up with 15 players and were unable to rotate any subs. They continued to attack, and Dunfermline were forced to kick for touch to clear the danger. The game was finally put beyond Perth when MacAulay Simpkins went over for a try between the posts which was converted by his brother, 25 -5 Dunfermline. A minute later Perth were awarded a penalty for an out of character high tackle by Andy Picksley. Perth were unable to capitalise on this and were further punished when Lliam Quarm scored his second try which was unconverted and took Dunfermline into a 30-5 lead. Dunfermline got a final try when Angus Thomson collected the ball outside the Dunfermline 22 and ran in for a converted try, uncharacteristically, side stepping a defender on the way. Final score, Dunfermline 37, Perth 5.
This was a good win for Dunfermline in a fixture where, in the past, the teams were only ever separated by 2 or 3 points. Dunfermline appeared to be a fitter side, but it must be remembered that Perth only arrived with 15 players to take part in a game which was particularly hard on the forwards. On the positive side, Dunfermline, at times, put together some attractive passing rugby, the lineouts were particularly effective with Angus Thomson spoiling the Perth ball and twice winning Perth ball. The backs generally had a good game with the Simpkins brothers playing well, and Neil Davidson have some good runs while reminding spectators that he can pass the balls as well! The crime count was down for Dunfermline, but there were too many return kicks which either went to the Perth Full Back or Stand Off who were the two biggest threats for Perth and were always dangerous with the ball in their hands. There are a number of areas that need to be worked on. The Dunfermline pack were pushed back too often and the old problem of losing ball in the loose raised it’s ugly head again. In addition some players are still not applying the skills that the coaches been trying to instil in them at training. Often the breakdown was very poor, which provided Perth with a lot of turnover ball. Our players appeared to be standing waiting for someone else to do the clearing out so they could take the ball. Having survived the recent Swine Flu Fever scare, Try Line Fever broke out three times and Dunfermline can count themselves as lucky because they could easily have been turned over which would have resulted in the score being much closer.
All in all this was a good win for Dunfermline and all credit to the team, but a sterner test faces them this coming Sunday with back to back games against Stirling County and Hawick.
Dunfermline v Aberdeen Wanderers – 25/10/09
After last week’s away defeat to Stirling County, Dunfermline U15s entertained a weakened Aberdeen Wanderers, who fielded 9 S2s in their line up, which saw the 60 minute period of play split in three 20 minute sessions, rather than the traditional two halves.
This was a game played in blustery conditions that didn’t encourage a kicking game. From the Wanderer’s kickoff, the ball was caught by Angus Thomson who took the ball into contact and from which Dunfermline gained a penalty from the ensuing ruck. Aberdeen took the ball from some slack play by Dunfermline after the penalty and looked to move the ball wide, but an interception by Connor Simpkins saw him go over between the posts in the 5th minute for a try, converted by Jamie Goodwin, 7 – 0 Dunfermline. Despite giving away penalties like sweets to a guiser, Dunfermline continued to press, won their scrum on Wanderers’ 5 metre line and got the ball out to MacAulay Simpkins who went over for an unconverted try, taking Dunfermline into a 12-0 lead in the 9th minute. The game continued to be played deep in Wanderers’ territory, with both teams exchanging penalties. However, Dunfermline continued to press but Wanderers were able to clear their 5 metre line when they were awarded a penalty for an accidental high tackle by Alex Foster. Foster redeemed himself when, at the following Wanderers’ lineout, Dunfermline won a turnover ball which was collected by Foster who ran in from 25 metres for an unconverted try in the 18th minute. This first third ended with Dunfermline having a 17-0 lead.
The second period of play started where the first left off, with Dunfermline taking the game to Wanderers from their kickoff. This pressure paid off with MacAulay Simpkins going over in the 24th minute making the score Dunfermline 22, Aberdeen Wanderers 0. After another exchange of penalties, Wanderers fumbled the ball from their lineout which was pounced upon by Lliam Quarm, who ran in for another unconverted try in the 28th minute, to give Dunfermline a 27-0 lead. From Wanderer’s kickoff, Dunfermline ran the ball back at them, but gave away a penalty in the process, which Wanderers kicked. This was collected by Josh Wilkinson, another S2 stepping up as the S2s didn’t have a game this week, who ran down the wing but was pushed into touch. From the lineout Wanderers got the ball out to their backs, but dropped it at their Inside Centre. As the ball rolled towards the line, it was scooped up by Angus Thomson who ran in from 25 metres to put the ball between the posts for a converted try. 34-0 Dunfermline. An injury to one of the Wanderers’ backs allowed Dunfermline to replace the entire back row and Connor Simpkins from the backs. Play followed much the same pattern until the whistle went some three minutes later to signal the end of the second period.
It was business a usual at the start of the third and final period where Dunfermline continued to press and saw Toby Gayfor, playing at no 6 in a re-shuffled pack, go over in the 44th minute for an unconverted try to extend Dunfermline’s lead to 39-0. Dunfermline took the ball to Wanderers and displayed some slick handling and should have had another score but for a forward pass from a fast moving back division. A break in play allowed for another player exchange and saw Quarm, Foster and Thomson return for the last 10 minutes. Some good defending by Wanderers and lost penalties by Dunfermline restricted the scoring. However this only lasted until the 48th minute when Lliam Quarm made a good break from the loose just inside Dunfermline territory and gained some 20 yards, offloading the ball to Angus Thomson who was supporting him. Thomson, in turn, made another 20 yards when he offloaded to MacAulay Simpkins, who ran on for Dunfermline’s final try in the corner. Final Score Dunfermline 44, Aberdeen Wanderers 0.
After the two defeats by Dundee Eagles and Stirling County, it was back to winning ways for Dunfermline in a game that saw some slick handling and good support play throughout. Unfortunately it was also a return to the bad old ways by a Dunfermline side that gave away 23 penalties, 3 of which, unforgivably, were for talking back to the referee. Against a more competent side and in better kicking conditions, this could have spelled disaster for the team and seen their early exit from the Bowl. Dunfermline could have won by a larger margin having only converted 2 of the 8 tries, but the blustery wind made kicking extremely difficult for the usually reliable Jamie Goodwin. This was a good showing from Dunfermline who dominated throughout, but need to minimise the number of penalties conceded through backchat and basic handling errors. No game scheduled for next week as yet, but the visit from Perthshire in the League in two weeks’ time, provides the opportunity for a Dunfermline win to cement the runner-up spot. The result of this game will be a true indicator of how far Dunfermline has progressed this season given how close this tie has been in the past.
Stirling County v Dunfermline – 18/10/09
Stirling County away was always going to be a difficult match for Dunfermline U 15s, especially given the added spice of this being a top of the table clash, with Dunfermline leading on a points differential. From a Dunfermline point of view, it was a disappointing first half with the visitors being on the back foot for much of the half. A dropped ball by Harry Hewitt, playing his third position in as many weeks, allowed a lively Stirling back division to go over in five minutes for their first try which was unconverted, 5 – 0 Stirling County. Stirling continued to pressurise and, despite some excellent defending from Dunfermline, scored in the 12th minute to take the score to 10 – 0 with another unconverted try. The game continued in the Dunfermline half with the Dunfermline pack having the better of their Stirling counterparts and saw Lliam Quarm execute a textbook No 8 pick up and run some 35 yards up the pitch before being brought down. Again Stirling showed their dominance in the backs when, in the 25th minute, they capitalised on some excellent interchanges between winger and outside centre to exploit an overlap to go over for a try, this time converted to take a 17 – 0 lead. This was not the end of the scoring in the first half as County broke from their scrum deep in Dunfermline territory in the 29th minute to score a converted try. Half time, Stirling 24, Dunfermline 0.
It was a different story in the second half with much of the play taking place in either the middle of the pitch or the Stirling half and saw a much improved performance from Dunfermline, particularly in the forwards who continued to dominate when given the chance. However, in one of their forays into Dunfermline territory, Stirling scored an unconverted try in the 44th minute. This came after three scrums on the Dunfermline five metre line, where Stirling were able to get the ball out to their backs, who broke the Dunfermline cover wide on the left hand side of the pitch, to score in the corner. 29 – 0 Stirling. Dunfermline continued to move the ball up the pitch with some good breaks from Quarm, Thomson, Foster and Dunn and were rewarded with a penalty in the 47th minute which was duly posted between the uprights by Connor Simpkins, 29 – 3 Stirling. Stirling were to score again in the 51st minute with a converted try between the posts to bring their tally to 34 points. It was Dunfermline who had the final say, with a try and conversion from Connor Simpkins again in the 56th minute to bring the final score to 34 – 10.
Despite the final score, this was a good game from a Dunfermline side that continues to improve. A lot of the basic errors were removed from their game and saw Dunfermline only concede five penalties in the whole match. The forwards had a particularly good game and dominated the scrums and lineouts but there is still some work to be done at the breakdown as Stirling were able to win turnover ball a number of times. This was due to the late arrival of some of the pack who were, on occasion, guilty of spectating, particularly when the initial break was made, and failed to support the ball carrier. On a more positive note, the back row are continuing to work well as a unit, while Cammy Dunn is also making some good runs from the loose. The backs put up a good showing but were hampered by the fact that a number of key players were missing and some players were playing out of position. Harry Hewitt, who is turning into something of a utility back, had a good game at stand off, while Kenny Davidson, providing cover from the S2s, had another good game in the colours of the U15s and didn’t look out of place at all. With this continual improvement, and the prospect of having a full squad available for next week, the game against Aberdeen Grammar in the Shield at McKane Park should be one to look forward to.
Dunfermline v Dundee Eagles – 04/10/09
After running up record scores over the last two weeks, it was back down to earth for Dunfermline Under 15s against Dundee Eagles, who offered tougher opposition in the Cup. Dunfermline dominated the first half with much of the half being played deep in Dundee territory, and was characterised by some intelligent kicking for position by Stand Off Jamie Goodwin with consistent pressure from Dunfermline keeping Dundee on the back foot and preventing them from putting together any consistent attacks. However, against the run of play, Dundee got to the Dunfermline goal line, but tenacious Dunfermline defending prevented a Dundee score. Despite Dundee taking the ensuing lineout, the Dunfermline pack was able to drive over to secure the ball and again, Goodwin’s kicking ensured that the ball was again deep in Dundee territory. The Dunfermline pack was not to have it all their own way as Dundee were pushing them back in the scrum, winning the loose and more than holding their own in the line outs. Dunfermline continued to press, and despite some good breaks from a busy Back Row, were unable to capitalise on their pressure. Against the run of play, Dundee broke, and scored a converted try just before half time – Dunfermline 0 Dundee 7.
Dundee came more into the game in the second half, but Dunfermline continued to hold firm when a good break from Dundee was stopped by a try saving tackle from Neil Davidson close to the Dunfermline line. It was Dundee who were to score again with two converted scores from a lively Dundee no 12 who was allowed to score between the posts by some poor Dunfermline tackling, 21 – 0 to Dundee. By now, Dunfermline were starting to loose their shape somewhat, but were still preventing Dundee from crossing the line again, and a change of personnel with Cory Harding coming on at Prop for Dunfermline, steadied the Dunfermline Pack and saw them back to winning ways in scrums and line outs. Dundee were only able to score a final three points from a penalty arising from Dunfermline indiscipline. Close to the end of the game, the referee had cause to stop the match twice to speak to the captains of both teams to calm both sides down as both teams reached boiling point. Final score, Dunfermline 0 – Dundee 24.
Despite the score line, this was by no means a poor performance from a Dunfermline side who could have won this game if they had converted the first half pressure in to points. This was partly down to indiscipline with the “crime count” in the first half showing that Dunfermline gave away 15 penalties against Dundee’s 6 in a half that was played for 90% of the time on the Dundee doorstep! Despite this, in flashes, there were some good performances where the backs were moving the ball well, encouraging signs that the Back Row of Alex Foster, Lliam Quarm and Angus Thomson are beginning to function as a unit and Harry Hewitt having a good game, playing out of position while deputising for Ross Clark at Scrum Half. The score line flattered Dundee somewhat in what proved to be an entertaining encounter in spite of the 24 – 0 final score.
Falkirk v Dunfermline – 27/9/09
One week after beating Falkirk 75 -5 in the Cup, Dunfermline under 15s faced their Falkirk counterparts in the league. Unfortunately the tie was awarded to Dunfermline as Falkirk could only field 12 players, however the game still went ahead as a friendly, with Dunfermline “loaning” Falkirk the players required.
Despite a spirited opening from Falkirk, it was Dunfermline that took the lead with a blistering run from Connor Simpkins, converted by Jamie Goodwin. The first half was characterised by some slick handling from a Dunfermline side that were clearly out to repeat the score of last week, and edged further ahead with another try from Simpkins that was again converted by Goodwin. Dunfermline didn’t have it all there own way, as Falkirk came back with some good attacking play and were unlucky not to score on two occasions with penetrating runs from a big, fast, Outside Centre. The Dunfermline defence held firm with some excellent tackling from Gayfor, and broke out of defence with a couple good runs from Thomson. It was clear that the Dunfermline forwards were also in the mood to score with three tries in quick succession from Quarm, Dunn and Foster all of whom took the ball from deep in Dunfermline territory and carved open a weakening Falkirk defence, with Goodwin again on hand to convert the tries by Quarm and Dunn giving Dunfermline a 33 – 0 lead at half time.
After another exchange of players, the second half started in much the same way as the first ended with a fine try from Dunn who again broke thought the Falkirk defence from the kick off to score between the posts. Once more Falkirk came back at Dunfermline with play being contained in the centre of the park until Dunfermline put together some good handling moves, and Davidson ran in for Dunfermline’s 7th try of the game. Thomson broke from the kick off and reached the Falkirk 22, before being caught by a dogged Falkirk Centre who brought him down short of the line. Unfortunately, this was the last Thomson was to play in the game as a knee injury forced his retirement. The stoppage provided an opportunity for another player exchange which saw 4 Dunfermline players change sides, among them Quarm and Foster, both of whom had been having an excellent game in the blue and white of Dunfermline. This coincided with the best spell for Falkirk which saw Henderson, the erstwhile Dunfermline Hooker, play at Scrum Half for Falkirk, score two tries and convert one to give Falkirk 12 points. However, Dunfermline were not to be denied with Simpkins and Dunn getting their hat trick each, Simpkins converting Dunn’s try, and Macaulay Simpkins, not to be outdone by his brother, going over for Dunfermline’s 10th and final try. Final score, Dunfermline 62 Falkirk 12.
This was a good performance from an improving Dunfermline side that are starting to play with conviction and are proving to be more than capable of putting together some slick handling and penetrating moves from both the loose and set piece. The final sore was marred by some indiscipline from a Dunfermline side that faces a much sterner test next week in the cup against Dundee Eagles at McKane Park.