Dunfermline – Dundee Eagles Rugby Club Sunday 27th January
Team Dunfermline (Alphabetical)

Robbie Anderson
Rhea Clarke
Euan Durkie
Logan Jones
Neil Keenan
Daniel MacIntosh
Fraser Mathieson
Gregor Mitchell
Robbie Nielson
Jack Young

Dunfermline RFC 5 – 6 Dundee Eagles Rugby Club
Try Scorer
Logan x 2
Gregor Mitchell
Daniel MacIntosh
Euan Durkie

The opening try was a brilliant set started by Jack who was tackled, placed the ball for Gregor to take it forward. Again Gregor was tackled and a ruck formed with Logan taking the ball to score the try. The second try was the same with a good drive by Daniel, pass to Logan and pass to Gregor to allow the try.

The third and forth try came from Daniel and Euan respectively. Daniel was able to run and score the try, but if he had been tackled or stumbled there was nobody to support him. We must remember to follow the lead in the V formation, just incase. All could be seen to have good ball skills in passing, stepping over to form a ruck and clearing the ball from the ruck. Remember to pass the ball wide from a ruck to get the ball into play away from the snarl that is in the ruck area.

The second half saw good play from Rhea with a pass to Logan to score his second try of the game. Dundee came on stronger in the second half with the score matched near final whistle. A one hand on the ball barge awarded the ball to Dundee. Managing to maintain possession Dundee score their final try to end the game 6 – 5.

We need to watch our defences, we still tend to huddle close to the ball action and loose points when the ball is passed wide and the try is scored in open space. Remember to fill the pitch, trust your team mates to do their bit and don't all mark the ball carrier, only the two nearest should need to do this. Tackle at the waist and slide down the legs. A great effort, equally matched to Dundee. The game showed great possession, rucking, and team work with some fantastic trys as a result.

Training
Keep up the practice at home. Practice passing close and wide and rucking:

Ruck
A ruck is formed when at least one player from each side bind onto each other with the ball on the ground between them. A ruck often follows a tackle. This physical contact is generally by locking shoulders while facing each other. Additional players may join the ruck, but must do this from behind the rearmost foot of the hindmost team mate in the ruck; this is often referred to as "coming through the gate". In a ruck, no player may use their hands to win the ball; instead each side attempts to push the other side off the ball or use their feet to hook it back towards their own side; an action known as rucking. Any player not taking part in the ruck must retreat behind the offside line, a notional line that runs through the rearmost foot of their hindmost team mate in the ruck or maul— the line runs parallel to the goal-lines.
Players attempt to arrive at the ruck first, drive forward and bind onto the opposition. Once a ruck is formed the opposition cannot use their hands, making it easier for the attacking team to retain possession. The defenders try to slow the ball from coming out of the ruck, which allows their team more time to organise their defence.