Dyce dig deep to defy Medics

Dyce welcomed the Uni Medics to Ellon Meadows, the homeside’s newly adopted home in the 21-22 season. Under heavy skies, the Medics made their league start against a buoyant Dyce side who enjoyed a fast start to the season bagging four wins from five in the opening weeks. The match was a close battle for the majority, before a late surge from both teams saw a flurry of points score in the final quarter of the match. The last of these went to the home side who sealed a bonus point win, simultaneously depriving the visitors of a losing bonus point.

With the match kicking off under continual rain, the first half was a close affair with the majority of the play in the host’s half despite fairly evenly matched possession. Dyce’s stout defence repeated withstood the Medic’s advances keeping the score line level, however they were unable to capitalise on their own possession with repeated knock-ons & infringments in the wet weather. The visitors should have gone ahead on the 20 minute mark when a penalty in front of the posts on the 22m line was somehow spooned wide by Robbie Macgregor, leaving them without reward for the territory advantage they’d been enjoying. In the wet weather the strategy by both teams was a predominantly tight one, with big carries and abrasive hits. With the ball greasy from the persistent rain, possession frequently changed hands.

The whistle happy referee was more than happy to have an impact on the game, repeatedly warning & penalising both teams for dissent. With just over half an hour played he’d had enough and duly brandished the yellow card to Medic’s centre & Captain David Noble for shouting at him, opening the door for Dyce to capitalise. The home side were more than happy to oblige, and following a line break on the wing from Jamie King linking with Harley Birchley, Graeme Lowe powered over in the corner to open the scoring. From out wide, Callum Robertson, fresh from his fly half performance the week prior, was unable to add the extras from out wide. With points on the board and 3 minutes to play until the half time whistle, the game came to life with open running rugby and line breaks from both sides, however despite the brief excitement, no further scores were registered before the half time whistle.

HT: Dyce RFC 5:0 Aberdeen Uni Medics RFC

Kick off for the second half saw the rain cease and the rugby remain competitive, with both teams keeping the ball tight and trying to wear the opposition down. The home side, despite trying to press home their numerical advantage with big carries in the midfield, we’re unable to, with the medics defence holding fast. However, it was Dyce who got on the scoreboard first in the second half; profiting from a questionable penalty awarded for hands on the floor at a ruck, the ball was punted into the corner 5m out. Repeated attempts to crash over from short distance finally paid off, with Graeme Lowe bagging his second try of the afternoon, twisting his body to get the ball down over the whitewash. Lowe’s try scoring exploits this season so far going under the radar given Duncan Scott’s form, however his brace now sees him sit only one behind top try scorer Scott on 7. The conversion once again went begging, keeping the score line 10-0.

With the score line beginning to get away from the Medics, they began to take the fight to their hosts, playing more expansive rugby and seeking to play rugby in the wider channels. Superhuman last-ditch cover tackles firstly from Gregg Jack and latterly Jack Lambley kept the gap at 10 points however the Medic’s persistence paid off, although their opening score after 65 mins came from the forwards. Keeping the ball tight put extended pressure on the hosts, who gave away a succession of penalties close to their own try line. A tap & go penalty from 5m out saw a snipe at the line fall short however the referee had had enough of Dyce ill-discipline and awarded a penalty try.
Buoyed by getting points on the board, the visitors added a second try 5 minutes later. A well worked move from the base of the scrum saw the backs make big inroads into the Dyce half, the ball recycled and the forward runners combining with an inside pop pass to do the rest from 10m out. With Martin Leahy bagging the Medic’s second try and Robbie Macgregor converting it, the Medics took the lead for the first time in the match 10-14.

For Dyce teams of old, surrendering the lead with 10 mins to go after conceding two quick tries could have been the breaking point to concede a bunch more, however the 2021 squad is made from different stuff, and the loss of the lead seemed to spur the Dyce players on for the chase. The home side dominated possession in the final 10 minutes, benefitting from the rub of the green on some refereeing decisions, while at the same time recycling the ball keeping it in hand. A Dyce penalty 15m in from touch & 5m out was taken quickly and rumbled forwards two phases, sucking in the Medics defence. Two wide passes later saw the ball land in Jamie King’s arms who went over for his third try in two games; cue the celebrations of his teammates & the Dyce supporters. Callum Robertson converted, taking the score to 17-14 with minutes left on the clock.

There was still time for more late drama where a Dyce try from close range was not given, but pulled back for a penalty for the Medics being offside; the quickly taken penalty was defended on the line, however Daf Jones burrowed over from the base of the ruck to secure the home side’s try bonus point with the last play of the game. With the home side's supporters in raptures on the sidelines, the full time whistle blew, depriving the Medics of any points despite them giving a solid account of themselves on the pitch.

FT: Dyce RFC 22:14 Aberdeen Uni Medics RFC

MotM: #7 Gregg Jack (sponsored by Graeme Smith)
DotD: Nicky Cheyne

A 5 point win sees Dyce stay top of the league for another week with 20 points; up next Caithness 2XV in Thurso in a week’s time which is likely to be another stern test of Dyce’s title chasing credentials. There are still supporter spaces on the bus- please contact the club if you’re wanting to travel with the squad.

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