Dunbar RFC 28 – 23 Berwick RFC
For the first time this season Dunbar were playing a side below them in the league but for the first 20 minutes Berwick took the play to Dunbar putting them under severe pressure and forcing a string of penalties mainly at the breakdown. Two of these penalties were converted in the 2nd minute and the 10th minute. Gradually Dunbar began to exert their own pressure on Berwick and were rewarded with two converted penalties by jamie peters in the 22nd minute the 28th minute. To turn around at half time level would have been a real bonus Dunbar but Berwick had other ideas. With Dunbar down to 14 men having lost Andrew Wightman to a contentious yellow card Berwick forced a lineout 10 meters out from the Dunbar goal line. The catch and drive caught Dunbar unawares and Berwick were able to force their way over the line for a well converted try. Berwick were also down to 14 men at this stage with a player being a bit enthusiastic in the tackle which resembled a throw from Cumberland wrestling rather than a tackle on a rugby pitch.
The half time score was 13 – 6 in Berwick’s favour.
In the seconds half with the elements in their favour Dunbar had more purpose about them and set about pulling the scores level. Good forward driving play allowed Andrew Wightman to eventually force his way over the line in the 45th minute. I say eventually because the referee had judged two previous attempts to be held up over the line. jamie peters converted the try bringing the scores level.
Berwick fought back and forced another penalty which was successful on the 52nd minute. Dunbar again responded with another jamie peters penalty on the 54th minute to bring the scores level once again.
At this stage of the game the Dunbar scrum was beginning to dominate the tight exchanges and from a good forward drive the ball was passed out to John Peebles to go over in the corner on the 59th minutes to extend Dunbar’s lead to 21 – 16. The conversion from out wide was missed.
Another dominant scrum allowed jamie peters to cut a good forceful line through some weak Berwick defending to score under the posts. jamie peters also slotted the easy conversion to extend Dunbar’s lead to 28 – 16.
It was at this stage of the game with Dunbar forwards continuing their domination that Dunbar should have forced the pace on the tiring Berwick pack in an attempt for the bonus point. However they seemed to switch off in their intensity levels and allowed Berwick to score under the posts in the 68th minute to bring the scores to 28 – 23. Rather than seeing this game out comfortably Dunbar were forced to hang on but good defending and a missed Berwick penalty allowed them to see the game out and take the points.
For the neutral this was an exciting game of league rugby with some quality being shown on both sides. When Dunbar brought their A game to the table using a combination of pace and power Berwick struggled to cope but fair play Berwick never gave up and fought to the end belying their current lowly league position.
Best for Dunbar were liam clutton and keith courtney with the latter being awarded the Dunbar Man of the Match.
Congratulations to Paul Pritchard the new Dunbar RFC Rugby Development Officer who made his 1st XV debut.
For the 2nd week in a row all Dunbar teams won with the U18s defeating Preston Lodge and the 2nd XV beating a Musselburgh RFC 2rd XV. Congratulations to all.

Dunbar travel to Edinburgh next week to take on the Royal High Corstorphine Cougars in what will be the last game in the first half othe league. Please coma along and support the team in what will be another hard fixture. Travelling details will follow during the week.

PS: Please ignore the score that has been reported to the SRU.The real score was as this report indicates 28-23 to Dunbar.