Dalkeith (35) 61
Lismore 1XV (0) 5
Tries: R.Lockhart (4), G.Davidson, S.Halliday, S.McMillan, M.Henderson, A.Nethery
Cons: M.Wilson (8)
MOM: M.Henderson

Dalkeith Rugby Club finally lifted the Tennants East Division 3 Trophy on Saturday. After playing the first nine matches they had nine wins out of nine and 44 points out of 45. Only one more league point was needed to clinch the title. Match 10 should have happened in December but the Covid bug struck both Liberton and Gala YM in successive weeks. January then! But no. Covid hit Lismore and the fixtures had to be rearranged. February brought further disappointment as first Gala and then Liberton cancelled again. Into March then, and it was Lismore who stepped up to the plate and travelled to Dalkeith to try and stall the Green Machine.

After several days of rain, the ground was soft. However, Saturday dawned cold but dry and the sun was shining. Perfect conditions for running rugby. The Dalkeith support was out in force and vocal from the kick off.

Dalkeith enjoyed the early territorial advantage, but the first ten minutes were a bit scrappy, there had been little rugby played since before Christmas, the ball was slippery and both sides were rusty from the long lay-off. The visitors had come to spoil the party, but Dalkeith had the better shape and, in the 11th minute, gathered some spilled Lismore ball in midfield and quickly counter attacked. The ball was moved swiftly through the hands to winger, Robbie Lockhart, for a score in the far corner. Fly Half, Mikey Wilson converted for 7-0. Four minutes later and Lismore conceded a penalty that allowed Wilson to kick to the corner. Dalkeith gathered from the line-out and the pack drove the maul over the line for the try. Lock forward, Gavin Davidson, coming up with the ball. Wilson’s conversion was good for a 14-0 lead. The home side were starting to put it together. In the 22nd minute Dalkeith turnover ball saw, Flanker Mikey Banks break up the blind side with hooker, Nethery and winger, Lockhart, in support. Nethery and Banks exchanged passes before the ball was thrown out to Lockhart, who’s pace took him away to score try number three. Once again, Wilson Converted. 21-0

Despite these early set backs, Lismore were not lying down, their forwards were competing in the loose and came back at the home side to enjoy a short period of territorial gain in the Home half. They could make little headway, however, and were thwarted by a Dalkeith side with their heads up and a scent of the title. The first up tackling was solid, the back row of Banks, Ewart and Cooney were a driving force, Captain Rab Letson was leading by example and Hooker Nethery was proving a handful. Props Corcoran and Halliday were big and disruptive while scrum half Baines sniped and harried at the breakdowns.

Dalkeith’s back line were equally determined. Fly half Wilson’s game management was excellent while centres, Clugston and Hamilton were solid in defence and quick in attack. Wingers, Lockhart and Henderson were eager to get involved and Full back Walker was keen to come forward and full of running.

Into the last 10 minutes of the first half and Dalkeith had regained their territorial advantage working hard trying to find another score. Their pressure yielded a penalty, and the ball was kicked to the corner. The line-out was about eight yards out. Dalkeith gathered cleanly and the maul formed. The initial push seemed to stall, but the forwards quickly reset and went again forcing their way over for the score. This time it was veteran Prop and Club President Steve Halliday who came up smiling, who better to secure the bonus point and ensure the league title was safely in the bag. The kick was good for 28-0.

The home side were not done yet, with a bit of injury time accrued the referee kept the half going. Dalkeith were on a high and the forwards secured the ball just inside the Lismore half, the ball was quickly spun through the hands, the Greens backs rampaged through the defence, with Full back Walker, coming into the line the ball was offloaded to winger, Lockhart who romped home once more for his hat trick. Conversion number five left the half time score Dalkeith 35 – 0 Lismore.

After the break Dalkeith restarted and immediately found themselves on the back foot as Lismore came looking for some reward for their efforts. The home side were, perhaps a little complacent, thinking the game was already won and Lismore capitalised on this lapse by scoring an unconverted try in the 45th minute. 35-5. Flankers Mikey Banks and Graeme Ewart gave way for Jamie Simpson and Stephen McMillan. Galvanised into a response Dalkeith took the game back to the Lismore 22 where they were met by some stalwart defence. However, after a succession of rucks, pick and goes and forwards coming at pace, Substitute flanker, Stephen McMillan crashed in by the posts for try number six. Wilson converted for 42-5.

Around this time Centre, Paul Clugston was yellow carded for an alleged high challenge and the home side rang more changes. On came replacement props Scot Rae and Paul Mackay, along with a refresh to the back line of; Darren McMillan, Gary Smith and Steve Paton. Soon after these changes, while the home side were still down a man, Dalkeith broke down the left, Darren McMillan making the initial break before offloading to Winger Matt Henderson, he in turn found Gary Smith who then released Robbie Lockhart to score in the corner. Sixty-seven minutes gone, Robbie’s fourth try of the day and Dalkeith’s seventh. This time the conversion was missed. 47-5.

Restored to fifteen men Dalkeith did not let up. The clock was running down but the Greens weren’t finished yet. On the 76th minute after some slick running and passing in and out, Winger Matt Henderson capped a MOM performance with Dalkeith’s eighth try, duly converted by Wilson. 54-5. The visitors were now visibly on the ropes and on the stroke of full time Hooker, Alan Nethery crossed and ran in under the posts for the final score. Wilson kicked the extras and Dalkeith took the title with a fine 61-5 victory.

A great day for Dalkeith’s Green Machine, silverware secured and a first winning season for coaching team Neill Wood and Jason Hendrie. Neill expressed his satisfaction after the match praising the entire playing squad for their commitment throughout the season, both first and second XVs. Despite all the hurdles of pandemics, delays, postponements and rearranged fixtures the squad have stuck together and remained focused on their goals.

With a couple of matches still to play the 2nd XV could make it a double by winning their league while the 1st XV looks for an unbeaten season.

Brilliant result boys!