Clinical 2nd XV help themselves to bonus point win

Report by Guy Gibson
Photos by Elle Haden

Following a promising previous two weeks with Dyce showing improvements each week, spirits were high with the travelling players out to show 9th place Aberdeen Wanderers 2nd XV that Dyce were not going to be rolled over without a fight. With Dyce suffering from last minute drop outs leaving a depleted bench, the challenge was again to test the resolve of the spirited squad. In the spirit of rugby friendship and continued partnership Wanderers kindly offered up 2 reserve players, Craig Strachan and U18 player Gregor Livingstone who would mark his senior rugby debut by coming off the Dyce bench to play against his own club. Following the warm up which resulted in a dislocated finger for Callum Robertson, never have the words, “just pop it back in and tape it up so I can play” been more welcome from the impact back row player.

With a filled bench, some last minute positional changes and a few key words from Coach Gibson, Dyce came out of the changing rooms pumped up and ready to compete.

Wanderers showed their intent to play fast running rugby by connecting well in the centres from the start after a few early exchanges at the breakdown, lazy realignment saw Wanderer's Nick Hearn straighten up to score after 2 mins. The try was converted for Wanderers to take an early 7-0 lead. From the restart Dyce worked the ball through the big ball carriers of Graeme Lowe and Craig Philip to make the ground into Wanderers half which lead to Dyce penalty for a side entry at the breakdown. The penalty was successfully converted by Captain David Hay; AW 2nd XV 7 - 3 Dyce after 5 mins.

A further 20 mins of battles across the pitch, both at the breakdown and set piece, in which Dyce were in the ascendancy at both the lineout and particularly the scrum, put pressure on the Wanderers defence. Aberdeen Wanderers attacked with kicks over the top out of hand through Fly Half Liam Rongonui to relieve pressure after disrupted ball at the ruck, they found space in behind Dyce's inexperienced winger. Wanderers converted the period of pressure to score on the 25 min mark through their back row (Clark Hearns) but were unable to add the extras from out wide. Further Dyce penalties resulting from Wanderers breakdown indiscretions presented an opportunity around the half hour mark. A mini-break by Phil Horsfall following a barnstorming hand off on Dean Mutch down the blindside was followed by a cheeky inside flick which found Jack Gray surrounded by green and blue shirts. With the ball recycled, the threatening play ultimately did not bare the fruits of hard labour with Craig Philip crossing the whitewash only to be deemed to be held up by the referee who did not award the try.

Another breakaway try for Wanderers (Clarke Hearns) shortly after left Dyce coaching staff digging deep for answers to turn it around, AW 2nd XV 19 - Dyce 3. With strong words and rallying call behind the posts, Dyce once again attacked from line out putting Wanderers deep into their own 22' and piled on the pressure on the talented Fly Half Liam Rongonui. The sustained pressure saw 10 attempting clearing kick from the Wanderers 5m line, only to be charged down, collected in mid air and scored by Dyce Captain David Hay. With the try easily converted from in front of the posts Wanderers looked stunned heading into halftime.

HT: Aberdeen Wanderers 2nd XV 19 - 10 Dyce

2nd half saw changes for Dyce with the debut for Gregor Livingstone to play at scrum half and Gregg Jack at full back. With equal amounts of experience and youthful willingness, Dyce aimed to come out strong. With a series of Dyce knock-ons in contact, Wanderers turned the pressure into points scoring tries from broken play early in the second half (Ross Dugan, Cameron Moore) converting one to take the score to what seemed out of reach for Dyce at 31-10. Again Dyce fought back with Craig Philip exploiting space in the midfield to gobble up the ground in behind the Wands backline. Offloading in the tackle to find Winger Jack Gray in space on the left touchline put him in a 1-on-1 with the covering Full Back. A well time sidestep saw the pocket rocket score a try in the corner which was a much needed moral booster for Dyce. From out wide the conversion was missed. AW 2nd XV 31 - 15 Dyce - 57 mins.

With Wanderers making a series of changes bringing fresh legs and Dyce tiring from sustained attacks and yo yo attack and defence, tries on 62 (Sammy Alkhalaf), 74 (Mike Wallace) mins finished off an entertaining match.

FT: Aberdeen Wanderers 2nd XV 41 - 15 Dyce RFC

Both teams played entertaining attacking rugby with Dyce continuing to show the ability to score tries when behind. Thanks again to Aberdeen Wanderers for continued support on match day and throughout the partnership and special thank you to the Wanderers boys who played for Dyce on the Day.

MOTM - Phil Horsfall / Craig Philip

DOTD - Callum Robertson.

Dyce face Peterhead at Central Park, 3pm KO this Saturday 17th Feb, come along and show your support! #MontheDyce

Photo by Guy Gibson