It’s heartbreak for Dalziel as a try late into injury time denies victory

Dec 13 2007

A DRAMATIC try in the ninth minute of stoppage time consigned Dalziel Rugby Club to a 19-14 defeat in a closely-fought encounter in wet and blustery conditions at Preston Lodge.

Dalziel had thought that their 83rd-minute penalty from the boot of Andy Hill had given them a two-point victory, especially when Graeme Patterson then blasted wide of the posts with a similar effort from wide on the right but it was not to be.

The expected final whistle was still not forthcoming and the East Lothian outfit were advised that they still had time for a lineout after Dalziel were penalised for diving into a ruck.

Blair Cowan safely gathered the ball for the home side from the ensuing put-in and was swiftly joined by the rest of the backs as they attempted to push the winning score over the line.

Although the Dalziel defence tried to put up some stout resistance against the presssure from Preston, the ball finally reached Preston Lodge scrum-half Bronson Whareinga.

He sprinted through two defenders to dive between the posts for a landmark first try for the club, stand-off Patterson then adding the conversion to break Dalziel hearts after the local side had put in a tremendous shift.

Both teams had given away a large number of penalties throughout the game and ultimately, it was the team who made better use of those setpiece opportunities who won the match.

The hosts had a 100 per cent record from their three kicks while Dalziel managed only three out of eight.

Preston Lodge opened the scoring in seven minutes when centre Jonathan Brash dummied to break clear, kicking across the line from distance, with Ali Wood claiming the final touch.

Hill missed his first three penalties of the game, with his third rebounding off the upright.

However, he reduced the deficit when he successfully landed his fourth kick, and the local side then took the lead when they took control in the driving mauls and allowed hooker Craig Lewis to touch down for a good try in 25 minutes.

Victor Czarnocki thought he had extended the lead after receiving the ball 30 metres out from a lineout and sprinting to the line before being tackled by the combined efforts of Clint Guyatt and Dougie Thomson but the referee ruled that the ball had been held up and awarded a scrum.

Instead, Preston Lodge forged a 12-8 interval lead when they made a quick break after a penalty, Chris Dixon quickly collecting the ball and going over for a touchdown which was then converted by Patterson.

Hill’s penalty reduced the deficit with a 35-metre penalty 15 minutes into the second half but although Dalziel piled the pressure on their opponents in the scrum, they were unable to add to the score before Hill’s injury-time score which set off the late drama.

Dalziel face Annan at Dalziel Park on Saturday (2pm kick-off).