Dyce comeback pushes Inverness Craig Dunain close but falls short at the death

Report by Keir Liddle

After the humbling defeat at the hands of Aberdeenshire a fortnight ago, Dyce knew they had a point to prove, both as a team and as individuals, and needed to seize the opportunity to bounce back against their Highland opponents in gameweek 13.

Dyce opened the game with possibly their best first 10 minutes of rugby this season, putting Inverness Craig Dunain under pressure and winning set piece ball from the scrum and lineout. Despite an opportunity to kick the opening points, a kick into the corner to setup an attacking play was snubbed out by the visitors in red. Despite Dyce's strong start and increased focus it was Inverness CD who scored first, with No. 3 barrelling over a chop tackle from 6 metres out and scrambling to score between the posts and converting.

Dyce kept their heads up and took the game straight back to the visitors with some impressive play from both an aggressive pack and nimble backs. Inverness started to feel the pressure and gave away a penalty after penalty for handling on the ground. Fly half David Hay ably converted the opportunity to get three points on the scoreboard for Dyce.

Inverness won a line out from the restart but against the trend of this season, the ball was stolen by jumper Phil Horsfall and Dyce took possession. Throughout the game Dyce's much improved lineout provided much a needed platform for forward play as ball after ball was stolen against the Inverness throw.

After battling uphill and soaking up an ICD barrage of attacks, Dyce's finally produced the goods; Andrew Clarke went over to score their first try of the game in spectacular fashion following a Glasgow-esque try from their own 22' line with three players supporting Callum Robertson's initial break and offloading around the ICD cover defense. The Central Park wind was against David Hay for the conversion though but Dyce still found themselves ahead by a point.

Inverness answered almost immediately and tore off down the field to score another breakaway try and conversion. Following the restart there were worrying moments for Dyce as they found themselves offside and Inverness used the resulting penalty to great effect finding touch deep inside the Dyce half. It looked for a brief moment that Dyce's spirit might yet again be crushed by a quick sucker punch from the opposition, however the Dyce line out front pod again stole the Inverness ball and the resulting pressure caused a suddenly nervy Inverness to commit yet another penalty at the breakdown. Dyce took full advantage and David Hay's kick bought some much needed yards finding touch outwith the Dyce 22'. The line out ball was ably secured and Dyce again took the ball to their opponents at pace.

Some incredible running and line breaks from Shea Brown and Graeme Lowe left Inverness on the back foot for long periods of the match and the crowd watching at Dyce were treated to some exciting running rugby.

A squint Inverness line out lead to a Dyce scrum where a strong squeeze for Inverness seemed to take the Dyce pack by surprise and won the strike against the head. Using this to their full advantage Inverness caught Dyce napping and tore down the field to score a converted try.

The half ended with a prolonged break after an unfortunate injury to Inverness player Ian Weafer whose match ended when he landed badly on his elbow requiring a trip to ARI. The Dyce squad and management wishes him a speedy recovery.

HT: Dyce 8- 19 Inverness Craig Dunain

Dyce found themselves running downhill in the second half and after some inspirational words from captain Phil Horsfall and coach Guy Gibson they set to camp out in the Inverness 22' and put them under the cosh.

Again winning good line out ball, Dyce took themselves to the brink of scoring twice in quick succession with some impressive driving from the forwards but Inverness CD's scramble defence was up to the task of repelling the relentless Dyce attack. Dyce finally crossed the line only for Ruari McAlister to be held up and the referee had no choice but to rule no try.

Dyce missed an opportunity to claw back some of their deficit after half time as a booming penalty punt from a David Hay inside the Dyce half swung the wrong side of the corner flag and missed touch. This bought Inverness some brief respite but Dyce soon took the initiative again and took the game right back to their half.

Dyce spent much of the second half on top, with Shea Brown carving straight running lines through midfield and David Hay spinning the ball wide showing an expansive to the host's bow. Time upon time Dyce showed they were dangerous with ball in hand and regularly threatened to outflank their visitors.

After a couple of cheeky quick tapped penalties from captain Philip Horsfall, Dyce found themselves again within inches of the prize. Scrum half Dan Gilmore took the ball from the back of a much improved Dyce ruck and fed David Hay who jinked through a fractured Inverness defence to wide on the left. David Hay missed the chance to convert his own try, but did add the extras to Dan Gilmore's try under the posts to take Dyce within four points of Inverness and a win or a losing bonus point looked on for Dyce with minutes left on the clock.

But it wasn’t to be, as a quick Inverness attack tore up the pitch from the restart, evading tackles to score in the corner; dashing Dyce's hopes of collecting their first points of the season. ICD missed their conversion and the referee blew for full time.

FT: Dyce 20- 29 Inverness Craig Dunain

Dyce left the pitch disappointed with the result but having given a performance to be proud off. The squad will look to use this match as inspiration for the rest of the season; a solid foundation to improve from.

MOTM: Shea Brown
DOTD: Leon Fawkes

Dyce are scheduled to welcome Kinloss Eagles next Saturday in gameweek 14 to Central Park as a re-arranged match from the start of December. An early KO is scheduled for 12:15 in order for both teams to catch the start of the 6 nations in the New Greentrees after the match. Hope to see you all there!

#MonTheDyce