Dalziel in top spot after narrow win

Sep 10 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

A HARD-FOUGHT win over Linlithgow saw Dalziel streak to the top of the Scottish Hydro National League Division One table.

The Motherwell side just edged this tense encounter, which for the last five minutes saw the game played within the Dalziel 22 area.

Despite conceding three successive penalties, however, Dalziel kept the lead and took the four points.

Dalziel played well in stages but their lineout play was lacking. This used to be a strong point and caused concern for the visiting fans.

The visitors started strongly and their pressure paid off when a Linlithgow forward was caught offside at a ruck and Andy Hill kicked a penalty. Another penalty quickly followed when an opposition hand was spotted in a ruck and again Hill obliged.

In 30 minutes, captain Craig Simmonds picked up from the scrum and drove forward. Two successive mauls saw the ball go to stand-off Ross McCaulay and he darted past the defence to score in the corner for 11-0.

Dalziel then let their guard down and Linlithgow got back in to the game. From a ruck 30 metres out, a Linlithgow forward scooped up the loose ball and made up 10 metres before the defence knew what was happening, drawing a full-back before setting up a converted try under the posts.

In the second half, Dalziel were awarded a five-metre scrum but as they went for a push-over try, a forward handled and the opportunity was lost.

At the other end, a penalty brought Linlithgow to within a point of Dalziel.

Gillon Duguid then produced a moment of individual brilliance.

A loose clearance kick was fielded by Robert Simpson, who fed inside to Duguid. He danced past the two centres then raced down the wing, eluding the opposition winger. sAs the full-back made a desperate tackle, Duguid jinked inside and ran in unopposed for a superb solo effort, with Hill converting for 18-10.

Linlithgow threw everything at Dalziel and were rewarded with another penalty but couldn’t get themselves further into the game.

Dalziel face Murrayfield Wanderers at Dalziel Park on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm.