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Battling Craigs on top
A HARD-FOUGHT win over old foes Dalziel on Saturday ensured Whitecraigs maintained their faultless start to the season.
Despite narrowly missing out on a third consecutive bonus point victory, the West Lodge side proved they could be serious title challengers with this performance.
After a rocky opening 10 minutes, in which the visitors controlled the game, Craigs settled in to the match and produced three clinical tries.
From the start it was Dalziel, unbeaten in the league throughout their last campaign, who forced the home side back with some probing kicks.
And with less than 10 minutes on the clock the visitors had chalked up a converted try, which was no more than their efforts deserved.
But Craigs soon found their rhythm and midway through the half a searing break by Phil Nicol put the big outside centre through under the posts to bring the sides level.
Ryan Moffat and the visiting kicker Robert Simpson then exchanged penalties to leave the teams level at 10-10 going in to the break.
However, just minutes after the restart Craigs forced their way over the try line for a second time.
Dalziel attempted to run the ball out from deep and when Craigs won possession a bullocking run by Kenny McCombe was supported by Stuart Pollock, who dived over from close range.
All the pressure was now on the visitors and a sniping break by captain Stuart Henderson almost brought another try.
It was Stewart Magorian though who stretched the home side’s lead when he crashed over the whitewash to make it 24-10.
With 10 minutes left to play Moffat added another penalty and despite constant pressure until the end Craigs failed to add a fourth try, which would have secured another bonus point.
After the match, head coach John Shaw said: “I felt that Dalziel were only playing 10 man rugby and the only time they were in the game was through our unforced errors.
“They did not really seriously threaten us apart from the opening five or 10 minutes.
“All in all though it was a fantastic victory for us and if we had kept our shape and discipline then I think it could have been an even more comprehensive win.”
Whitecraigs travel to Haddington on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) looking to continue their unbeaten streak.
Team: Laidlaw, B Blamire, Nisbet, Macdonald, Hunter, McCombe, N Blamire, Pollock, Henderson, Moffat, Whittet, Magorian, Nicol, Fisher, Corbett. Subs: Campbell, Percival, Farrell, Howarth.
After a rocky opening 10 minutes, in which the visitors controlled the game, Craigs settled in to the match and produced three clinical tries.
From the start it was Dalziel, unbeaten in the league throughout their last campaign, who forced the home side back with some probing kicks.
And with less than 10 minutes on the clock the visitors had chalked up a converted try, which was no more than their efforts deserved.
But Craigs soon found their rhythm and midway through the half a searing break by Phil Nicol put the big outside centre through under the posts to bring the sides level.
Ryan Moffat and the visiting kicker Robert Simpson then exchanged penalties to leave the teams level at 10-10 going in to the break.
However, just minutes after the restart Craigs forced their way over the try line for a second time.
Dalziel attempted to run the ball out from deep and when Craigs won possession a bullocking run by Kenny McCombe was supported by Stuart Pollock, who dived over from close range.
All the pressure was now on the visitors and a sniping break by captain Stuart Henderson almost brought another try.
It was Stewart Magorian though who stretched the home side’s lead when he crashed over the whitewash to make it 24-10.
With 10 minutes left to play Moffat added another penalty and despite constant pressure until the end Craigs failed to add a fourth try, which would have secured another bonus point.
After the match, head coach John Shaw said: “I felt that Dalziel were only playing 10 man rugby and the only time they were in the game was through our unforced errors.
“They did not really seriously threaten us apart from the opening five or 10 minutes.
“All in all though it was a fantastic victory for us and if we had kept our shape and discipline then I think it could have been an even more comprehensive win.”
Whitecraigs travel to Haddington on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) looking to continue their unbeaten streak.
Team: Laidlaw, B Blamire, Nisbet, Macdonald, Hunter, McCombe, N Blamire, Pollock, Henderson, Moffat, Whittet, Magorian, Nicol, Fisher, Corbett. Subs: Campbell, Percival, Farrell, Howarth.
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