Expansive AURFC pass their way round Dyce

Despite improvements, Dyce fail to foil impressive backline

In the autumn sunshine Dyce kicked off at 3pm with expectations to put in a decent performance against a youthful Aberdeen University side in gameweek 6.

Playing down the pitch from the get go, Dyce, in their home navy strips, started slowly conceding possession and territory to the visitors in red jerseys and blue shorts. Strong runners in the midfield for the students sucked defenders in before the ball was whisked wide to be scored in the corner by the visiting outside centre. A further three converted tries within the first 15 minutes would see the score reach 0-28 with AURFC wrapping up the try bonus point before Dyce got their act together to retain possession beyond a couple of phases. When targeting the fringes of the breakdowns Dyce had the most joy, with the visitors opting to spread the defensive line rather than contest the tackle area. Following several infringements from the AURFC No. 9, Dyce's David Hay stepped up to slot a penalty in front of the posts from just outside the 22'.

Getting some points on the board seemed to give the lads in blue some confidence and Dyce began to grow into the game more, forcing further infringements from the visitors. Referee Ray Mellis finally lost patience in the 28th minute and yellow carded the skilful yet petulant visiting scrum half, who spent the next 10 on the sidelines. Despite their numerical advantage, Dyce were unable to take their opportunity and actually went a further 5 points behind as they conceded again.

Several replacements were enforced as injuries to Callum Robertson (back), Keir Liddle (arm) and Danny Macgregor (leg) left them unable to continue.

Despite conceding 5 tries, it was Dyce who had the last word of the first half; Fly half David Hay again converting a penalty on the 38th minute. This time the contact not so flush, the low effort just had the carry to clear the crossbar. With the visitors back up a full complement following the penalty, the score remained the same until the half time whistle.

HT: Dyce RFC 6-35 Aberdeen University RFC

AURFC started the second half as strongly as the first with the first try coming after 3 second half minutes; Dyce again taking time to get used to the match intensity with poor tackle technique and a non-existent line press. A total of four tries in the first 20 second half minutes put the men in red well out of sight as they stepped on the accelerator and took advantage of the downhill pitch slope. The students 9th try was one of beauty; a strong run from the red, Openside Flanker broke the gainline around the 10 yard line after targeting a weak shoulder, and despite a robust effort from Full Back Scott Brown, had enough in the tank to dot down in the corner before being tacked over the deadball line. The conversion was dutifully slotted by the visiting Full Back who, along with his hat-trick of tries and other conversions, came away with a personal haul of 33 points.

Despite the one sided scoreline Dyce managed to put together several good periods of play going unrewarded. In comparison to previous matches the lineout was functioning more fluidly with Sean Broadley plucking the ball out of the air jumping at 5.

As tiredness set in towards the 60 minute mark, Club President Paul Williamson threw on his boots and joined the fray to the delight to the supporting crowd. Buoyed on by his resentment of students he carried like a cranky rhinoceros charging across the Serengeti, throwing opposition players out of his way. Despite his fervour, he was not able to halt the slide of the scoreline as the young university bucks continued their onslaught by exposing the flanks out wide with clinical passing and direct runs to score a further five tries.

As the final whistle sounded the dark clouds began to gather and the players cooled down, Dyce were left to reflect on another hard day at the office.

FT Dyce RFC 6-89 Aberdeen University RFC

MOTM: Andrew Clarke
DOTD: Ruari McAlister

With another heavy defeat Dyce have plenty to work on at training this week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Attention now turns to our next fixture against Huntly this coming Saturday away at the Gordon School Playing Fields, as them team welcomes back some important players from injury.

#MonTheDyce