Wanderers' waltz away with all three points

Report by Guy Gibson

With a full Dyce squad at near full strength, confidence was at a season high.

Following an encouraging week of training and team selected on Wednesday night, everyone knew what they were doing and what as expected of them. Following the previous weeks poor set piece, a welcome return to the front row in the form of Callum Williamson and Cameron Fraser combining with experienced Loosehead Nicolas Cheyne was to be the foundation for a competitive set piece and proved the foundation for Dyce attacking rugby.

From the kick off the pressure from Dyce was intense and backed by some familiar old faces such as Gregg Jack and Jake Warden and returning from suspension, Robert Childs had a point to prove. Defence from Dyce was tight and contact was direct and put pressure on Wanderers ball carries, closing their big ball carriers down quickly. At scrum time the forwards showed their strength and size winning against the head and also bringing the first chance to get dyce points on the board as the Wanderers scrum struggled. The penalty was unsuccessful but left Dyce wanting more.

Wanderers went on to score 2 tries, 1 converted as they picked up the attack, taking the score to 0-12. Dyce responded with scrum half Gregg Jack making attacking breaks combining with centres from the back of the scrum. Rob Childs made a strong run from inside the Wanderers 22m crashing over for a try and Dyce’s first points on the board for the season. David Hay converted. Score 7-12.

Dyce continued the pressure spurred on by promising line breaks and a new found confidence finding Dyce again back in the Wanderers half. Wanderers were penalised at the scrum time after time for feeding at the put in. Within kicking range, David Hay successfully kicked a further 3 points. Score 10-12. Wanderers responded with pressure putting backs in spaces but with discipline poor from Wands, Dyce were again looking like coming out on top in the 1st half. With the Dyce line out not functioning fully and a pack of big ball carriers, tap and go from the penalty nearly saw another try only for the turn over at the Wanderers try line to be capitalised on and a broken field with Wanderers backs running the length of the field for their 3rd and final try but were unable to convert. As the first half due to a close dyce looked to get back in the wands half and scum time saw further issues for Wands, eventually with their open side flanker receiving a yellow card for handling the ball in the scrum as the pressure continued. The half was called without Dyce given an opportunity to kick at goal.

HT Dyce RFC 10-19 Aberdeen Wanderers 2nd XV

2nd Half started with Dyce playing up the pitch. Soon into the 2nd half, impact subs were made for Dyce replacing centres and back row, with Keir Liddle having played a fantastic half for his debut start for the club. Dyce continued to defend heavily with some injuries keeping the Dyce physio busy. With scrappy defence at times from both sides, Dyce kicked to within the Wands 22m from a penalty. With the ball failing to the Dyce side, Scrum half Gregg found space running a line back on the inside on his way to a clear line but dropped the ball over the line for a knock on. Busy periods of attacking and defending from both sides saw a scoreless 2nd half with Dyce disappointed to not take away their first league points.

FT Dyce RFC 10-19 Aberdeen Wanderers 2nd XV

Dyce showed massive improvements in attack and defence with everyone enjoying the game both on and off the pitch and excited for the next challenge away to Peterhead. Great numbers at training and on game day made the difference for Dyce and having experienced pack and backs in key positions.

MOTM went to Joe Brooks at Full back
DOTD went to Gregg Jack