Strathaven P6 played host to local Lanarksire rivals Dalziel on 27th October. Conditions were pretty cold and the pitch was borderline playable, however due to a later than planned start it softened up sufficiently for both teams to be happy to play full contact rugby. Due to numbers it was agreed that both matches would be played at 10-a-side rather than 8 and would use 5-man scrums, a first for both teams.

P6 played Dalziel nine times last season at P5 and won every game so the pressure was on to keep their unbeaten record going. Dalziel are a physically big side but still have boys that can run well with the ball.

The first match kicked off about twenty minutes later than planned in front of a decent home and travelling support. Strathaven newcomer Ben Allan came close to scoring his first try of the season with a fantastic run down the left wing only to be bundled into touch 10m from the Dalziel tryline. Both sides used their strength well but the larger Dalziel forward players allowed them to get to a breakdown 5m from the Strathaven tryline. A ruck formed but somehow the home side managed to get a turnover and the ball was fed out by scrum half Ben Allen to Andrew Robertson, playing in a full-back position. Starting on his own tryline Andrew weaved his way through the defence and the length of the pitch to score the first try on the ninth minute. Dalziel got on the attack again and managed to get a tap and pass on the touchline 5m from the Strathaven tryline. Again the home side won turnover ball and this time Duncan Campbell sprinted down the right wing to score and take a 2 - 0 lead. An injury to a Dalziel player briefly took the sides down to nine each near half-time before Lachlan McGee, coming on after a blood injury in the warm-up, got his first of the season with a strong run through the defence to score in the right corner. Half-time score 3 - 0. In the second half Strathaven had the benefit of playing downhill and used a wider passing game than Dalziel, giving a further try from Lucas Blair on the sixteenth minute. Three minutes to go Strathaven had a decent four-try lead however without taking their foot off the gas, the boys ploughed three more tries past Dalziel in the space of as many minutes with scores from Matthew Dixon (27), Andrew Robertson (29) and Duncan Campbell (30).

Final score Strathaven 7 - 0 Dalziel

The home side went into the second game with confidence and they carried on exactly where they had left off with yet another try from right-winger Duncan Campbell inside the first minute. Dalziel played to their strengths and repeatedly fed the ball to their huge forward player, however Strathaven full-back Andrew Robertson was able to down the player in the tackle every time. Strathaven proved to be stronger in the 5-man scrums with second row players Gabriel Traill and Tom O'Hara giving an excellent consistent performance in the engine room. Dalziel came close to a score with a good run from half way down the right wing however the player was tackled into touch about 10m from the tryline. Further tries by Luke Kennedy (7) and Matthew Dixon (15) took a 3 - 0 lead at half-time. Two minutes into the second half and Strathaven were on the defensive and looking to execute a clearance kick from inside their 5m line. Luke Kennedy blasted the ball down the middle of the field and gave chase. Andrew Robertson got the better of the bounce and carried the ball to score on the seventeenth minute. Matthew Dixon powered through the Dalziel defence resisting temptations to offload the ball and scoring to take a 5 - 0 lead. Gathering themselves Dalziel made a concerted effort and broke down the left wing at speed. Ewan Watson gave chase and caught the player, shoving him into touch on the 5m line. Encouraging attacking play and proper tackle technique Dalziel were given the advantage and a tap and pass right on the 5m line. Feeding the ball out from the restart, Dalziel broke through the defence and scored their only try of the day. Not to be outdown Lucas Blair got possession on the restart and made a lengthy run to score just as he was tackled, ending the game.

Final Score Strathaven 6 - 1 Dalziel

This was the best performance of the season so far by P6. Confident attacking play and much better support running gave them numerous tries and even more opportunities. Dalziel played hard but despite their big players it was the good teamwork from Strathaven that led to so many tries and so few conceded. They adapted to 10-a-side brilliantly and both second row players did exactly what was expected of them in the scrum and in the rucks. A great all round performance by each and every one of the boys and takes this team to 11 unbeaten matches against Dalziel.

Squad for the day:- Andrew Robertson, Ben Allan, Gabriel Traill, Duncan Campbell, Gregor Hair, Ewan Watson, Lachlan McGee, Lucas Blair (Captain), Tom O'Hara, Luke Kennedy, Rory Mullen and Matthew Dixon.