Match report by Keiran Esson
Photos by Tracie Coutts

In a closely fought contest at Central Park pitches, Dyce, it's fair to say that weather was not in either of the team's favour as the rain started pouring down just before K.O. It was a game in which both teams wanted to win and claim the bragging rights for the rest of the season. For the Dyce team it was a chance to put in a solid performance ahead of the start of the season and for individuals to stake claims for starting berths come the start of competitive rugby in a week's time.

A minute's silence from both teams was held in memory of Mark Cheyne and Paul Holder ahead of kick off.

With the Dyce RFC playing uphill in the first half, sporting their new sky blue jerseys, the opening skirmishes were guarded, however it took just 13 minutes for the first try to be scored by the Old Boys; front rower Stuart Christian putting the ball over the try line for the Old Boys making the score 0-5. Old Boys stand off Mike Taylor stepped up to kick for the conversion but sent it wide of the posts in the blustery wind. I didn't take long for the Dyce to level the score line with Declan Coutts breaking through the old boys defence making the score line 5-5 in the 20th minute. However David Hay just missed the conversion keeping the score level.

With the competitive nature of fierce rivalries, tempers flared on occasion with well known peacemaker Paul Robertson doing his best to keep all 30 lads on the pitch.

Just 7 minutes later however, Calum Dewar bagged the Old Boys' 2nd try making the score 5-10. Danny Macgregor also missed the conversion from out wide, failing to widen the gap. With the ball carrying and tackling ferocious, the breakdown was a closely contested affair with both teams guilty of not securing their own ball leading to turnovers.

The first half ended however without further incident, with both teams blowing and thankful for the half time rest.

HT Dyce RFC 5 - 10 Dyce Old Boys

With a couple of changes at half time and now playing downhill, the current team immediately kicked it up a gear with Gregg Jack beating his man out wide on the left flank scoring under the posts to make it 10-10 in the 46th minute. David Hay stepped up for the conversion and this time he managed to slot it making the score 12-10.

However the Old Boys proved they still had plenty of fight left in them when Damian Macgregor broke through the current team's defence with a galloping run before Martyn Snell touched down to make the score 12-15 in the 51st minute. Graeme "Fats" Smith failed to score the conversion, ending up on his arse after slipping in the act of kicking, leaving the score 12-15.

With substitutions becoming more frequent in the second period the flow of the game suffered; the Old Boys seizing the opportunity to exert pressure at scrum time and put the Dyce tema under pressure. Despite this, the Dyce team turned on the heat with an expansive style of play which the Old Boys struggled to cope with. A wave of penalties came the way of the home team which resulted in the missed opportunity of maximum points following a wee knock-on in the corner some 2 meters out.

However with just 6 minutes left in the game, the Old Boys gave away a further penalty on their own 22 yard line which David Hay stepped up to take. From the central location he scored the penalty to level the score at 15-15 with only a handful of minutes remaining.

It was however the Old Boys who seemed to find an extra gear in the closing moments, with the remaining play in the Dyce half of the pitch until the final whistle blew.

FT Dyce RFC 15 - 15 Dyce Old Boys

With a well deserved draw for both teams, there was plenty of laughs and even more alcohol consumed to finish the day in the GreenTrees.

Rory Shepherd won the Man of the Match award for Dyce after his excellent efforts during the match while Keiran Esson won D!ck Of The Day for warming up with the wrong team before the match.

On the old Boys side, Damian Macgregor won Man Of The Match for (in the words of the Old Boys captain) "being the Macgregor who can play rugby", while Graeme "Fats" Smith picked up D!ck Of The Day for slipping over while attempting a conversion kick.

We thank everyone for their support both watching the match and joining us in the clubhouse after the game.

Dyce RFC returns to action on Saturday 7th September against higher league opposition Moray RFC at home in the Cup. We welcome your support once again!

Until next year- Mon the Dyce!

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