Dunbar travelled for the third league match in succession to the Capital for the match against Leith. The match was reversed due to the International being played in the City to make travel easier for both sides.

Leith started the more likely and forced play for much of the opening minutes in the Dunbar twenty two and deservedly went ahead from an 8^th minute penalty. Dunbar slowly worked themselves back into the match and scored a nice try from a quick tap and go after a high tackle. The ball was moved quickly to Antoin Penrose who slipped the defenders to score. Uncharacteristically Charlton missed the kick when the ball came back off the upright. Dunbar then had John Peebles yellow carded when the player went for an interception on half way and knocked on. Peebles was soon followed into the bin by his team mate Jamie Peters. Dunbar were under the cosh with only 13 players but they worked up field and Nathan Craig scored a great try. Charlton again missed the kick. Leith then scored a simple try after some poor Dunbar defence when the number eight stretched to the line. Dunbar turned round 10-8 to the good but would have to improve in the second period.

Dunbar were having some great results with the driving maul which the home side struggled to contain. Captain Greg Patrizio then had an amazing tackle on a Leith player with the home player having to retire injured. On 52 minutes Leith took the lead with a try in the corner with the kick coming back off the upright. Dunbar then had a penalty close in which Charlton converted to level the scores at 13-13. This was followed on 63 minutes by a try from John Peebles after some good work by Patrizio. The winger should have scored minutes later but slipped at a crucial moment and Leith cleared.

Antoin Penrose then scored his second try which was a beauty. The ball was shipped quickly out to the right then a long ball back to the left side caught the defence napping and the Dunbar full back had the easiest of runs to the line. Charlton converted for a 25-13 lead and the try secured a bonus point. Dunbar should have run down the clock but poor defending on the Leith goal line allowed the home side to rally up the pitch. Some desperate defending kept Leith out but a penalty try was awarded for a deliberate knock on by Peebles. This, if a deliberate knock on should have resulted in a second yellow card but the referee kept the cards in his pocket. Dunbar did see out the last two minutes for a good win. Final Score Leith 22, Dunbar 25.

Away Team: Dunbar RFC – 1st XV (Men)

Starting Team

1	Reece Wight (19935) (L/T) (Dunbar RFC)
2	Kyle Donnellan (71810) (Dunbar RFC)
3	Marius Hurez (146824) (Dunbar RFC)
4	Mathew Wilson (22716) (Dunbar RFC)
5	Christopher Colvine (141577) (Dunbar RFC)
6	Karl Main (5553) (Dunbar RFC)
7	Jordan Lister (142270) (Dunbar RFC)
8	Greg Patrizio (83470) (Dunbar RFC)
9	Jack Walters (72078) (Dunbar RFC)
10	Ross Charlton (49482) (Dunbar RFC)
11	John Peebles (10388) (Dunbar RFC)
12	Jamie Peters (77763) (Dunbar RFC)
13	Antoin Penrose (23542) (Preston Lodge RFC)
14	Nathan Craig (113550) (Dunbar RFC)
15	Alexander Thomson (79561) (Dunbar RFC)

Subs

16	Marco Bagatella (138780) (Dunbar RFC)
17	David Brunton (115464) (H) (Dunbar RFC)
18	Cameron McFadyen (52405) (Dunbar RFC)

Match report and photos courtesy of David Wilson, Chairman Dunbar RFC

Dunbar headed to the Borders for the third time this season missing several key players. Influential Centre Jamie Peters was the biggest loss and to make matters worse Jack Walters failed to start the match with Tom Wight moving to scrum half. Dunbar started brightly and forced Linden to give away a lot of penalties. It was however the home side who struck first on ten minutes with a try in the corner. This seemed to put the Dunbar players heads down as the home side took control.

A scrum against the head on 14 minutes led to the second Hawick try for a 12-0 lead. Hawick took advantage of some poor Dunbar defence to score almost from the kick off with the visitor’s defence posted missing. Hawick should have scored minutes later but some poor decision making allowed Dunbar to clear up field. Dunbar then scored a nice try when Gary Peebles showed some good strength to run in the score after good work by Brown.

This should have given Dunbar the confidence to get right back in the game but again shot themselves in the foot. The kick off was spilled and a Hawick player kicked through and with the Dunbar defence missing scored a simple try. Another scrum against the head led to Hawick scoring again minutes later. Hawick at this stage were almost scoring at will and extended their lead with two tries in as many minutes just before half time to lead 43-5.

Dunbar looked to reduce the lead immediately after half time but Brown tripped on the artificial surface and ended up leaving the field along with Higginbottom. Having already lost Nathan Craig at half time this led to Dunbar playing short-handed for the rest of the match. Hawick scored two quick fire tries on 47 and 50 minutes and another followed on 57 to give Hawick a 62-5 lead. Dunbar did however start to take the game to the Borderers and were rewarded when Daniel Philp crossed at the posts. Charlton converted. Hawick from the re start turned over the ball and scored again a few minutes later. Gary Peebles then showed similar strength as in the first half to break through and score at the posts with Charlton converting. Hawick had the final say with a try in the last minute after Dunbar lost possession.

This was a poor performance against a team who they really should have competed with on paper and the Dunbar players will need to take a long hard look at themselves. There seems to be a lack of Commitment from players around the town which is shown both at training and with numbers on a Saturday.

Match report and photos courtesy of David Wilson, Chairman Dunbar RFC

 

Dunbar travelled to the Capital looking to keep in touch at the top of East 2 against Edinburgh University Medics.
Matt Wilson had an early run for Dunbar but it was the Medics who scored first on 5 minutes. Dunbar lost possession and the home side took advantage to score out wide. A kick through looked to go the way of Dylan Moffat but the Medics player got the crucial touch over the line. Josh Nicol then had a great run to the home line but was bundled into touch just short. The Medics line out was not straight and Dunbar had a good attacking scrum. Number 8 Patrizio picked and fed scrum half Walters who in turn fed winger Nicol who crashed over in the corner after 10 minutes with Charlton converting. John Peebles then scored a lovely try from way out with Charlton again converting. Dunbar now had the bit between their teeth and after several pick and drives at the Medics, prop Reece Wight crashed over on 23 minutes with Charlton converting for a 21-5 lead.

Dunbar switched off from the re start as they were turned over and were lucky that Nicol got in a crucial tackle but it just prolonged the try which came soon after. John Peebles then went on another great run from the restart but was bundled into touch. Moffat stole the ball and Wight crashed to within 5 metres and the ball was moved quickly to Peters to go through to score. Charlton again converted for a 28-10 lead on 32 minutes.
Dunbar then let themselves down with poor ball retention and the Medics took the initiative to score. The conversion saw out the half and Dunbar went in 28-17 ahead.
The Medics came close from the kick off but Dunbar turned the ball over and cleared. The University team kept up the pressure and scored a nice try on 47 minutes to bring the score to within a converted try. Dunbar found themselves on the back foot and at times were scrambling about in defence but it kept out the home side. Dunbar then had a purple patch and were looking the likelier team which proved to be the case. Great play by Peters saw him hold the ball up to allow the forwards time to get in support and they took play to the Medics line before Wilson crashed over with Charlton again converting.
Matt Wilson went from try scorer to try saver as he stopped what looked like a certain try. The Medics were stretching the Dunbar defence but did not take advantage and Dunbar hit them hard with another try, this time Josh Nicol crashed over in the corner. Charlton missed the conversion to blight an almost perfect kicking performance.

Coach Mark Coull then intercepted from far out to take play to the twenty two before the ball was cleared by the Medics. Matt Wilson was then yellow carded for a deliberate knock on which could easily have been a certain try for the home side. Right on full time the Medics got a consolation try which was harsh on Dunbar as the referee seemed to be the only one not to see the ball knocked on. This was another five point win which keeps Dunbar in touch with the leaders. Dunbar need to play for the full 80 minutes as that has led to a lot of tries being conceded along with crucial points as in the Gala Y.M match. Final Score 27 – 40.

Match report, photos and videos courtesy of David Wilson, Chairman Dunbar RFC.

Dunbar made several enforced changes to their team for the trip to Gala to play the local Y.M. Dunbar kicked off into a strong sun and had an early chance through John Peebles but the ball was spilled. Gala had the better of the early chances and took the lead from a penalty after 10 minutes. Dunbar then had a great chance from an attacking scrum but Gala nicked it and looked to score but for a terrific chase back from John Peebles. The referee was not interested in any contact at the tackle which was frustrating both sets of players. Dunbar were awarded a penalty on 22 minutes and kicked to the corner. The forwards won good ball as the backs pushed Gala back near their own line. The ball was moved quickly and Matt Wilson got his first touch-down with Charlton converting. Dunbar were getting on top of the home team and Chris Bryce weaved his way through the defence on 27 minutes to score and Charlton again converted. Both sides had chances before the break but there was no further scoring in the half.

Dunbar then shot themselves in the foot just after the restart when they failed to clear their lines and Y.M took advantage to score out wide. From the restart Matt Wilson took a good catch driving to the home twenty two but the pass to Nicol was knocked on with the line at his mercy. On 52 minutes Dunbar scored again but the referee was in a poor position and gave an attacking scrum to the East Lothian side. Dunbar continued to pressure and were awarded when Captain Greg Patrizio burst through. Charlton converted again for a 21-8 lead. This should have been the catalyst for Dunbar to finish off the home side.

Gala then seemed to click through their stand-off who was by far the best player in the home ranks. The Dunbar defence was breeched far too easily and the conversion was good. The Y.M had a 5m scrum and they looked to drop the front row and amazingly the referee awarded a penalty try. Dunbar then had John Peebles yellow carded and then to the amazement of the Dunbar players sent off Chris Bryce. With so much going on there seemed to be a considerable amount of additional time to be added but the referee blew for time right on 40 minutes. This was a bad ending to what seemed to be a decent performance for 60 minutes. Dunbar host Penicuik next week where they will be hoping to get back into winning ways.

Report and Photos courtesy of David Wilson

Dunbar would need to bounce back after their defeat away to Langholm last week. Team selection had changed much in a week but Jamie Peters was back in his normal position of Centre with Captain Greg Patrizio moving back into his back row role.

Dunbar got off to a bad start after just 7 minutes when the Costorphine centre eased through to score. Dunbar came back strong and after several assaults on the visitor’s line Jamie Peters stretched over the line.

From the restart Jordan Lister made a great run before offloading to his support but the move broke down with Lunam being bundled into touch. From the line out Costorphine did not clear their line and the clearance kick went straight up in the air. Captain Greg Patrizio managed to burst through in the corner. Charlton converted from a difficult position and against the wind. Dunbar then exerted pressure in the visitor’s twenty two but a weak pass allowed an interception which resulted in a penalty. Costorphine kept going and a neat grubber saw the winger touch down.

Dunbar skipper Patrizio then gave his side a 17-10 lead when he finished off a fine move. Charlton’s conversion came back off the bar. There was no further scoring as the referee blew for half time.

Dunbar would now face a strong breeze but got off to a flier when the ball was moved quickly to John Peebles. The winger broke the first line but still had a lot to do but managed to weave through the winger and full back to score. Charlton converted from out wide. Almost from the restart it was almost deja vous as Peebles cut through the defence again to score at the posts. Charlton converted for a 31-10 lead. Dunbar then lost scrum half Jack Walters which resulted in winger Tom Wight moving to nine.
Costorphine then had a good period of pressure which eventually saw them cross the whitewash twice in a five minute period. John Peebles then scored his third try before Tom Wight squeezed close to the line for a good score.

John Peebles then had a clear try disallowed due to him rolling but was never held in the tackle. Calum Champion also had a try disallowed for a double movement but again it looked like a single movement. Champion did have the last say with a good drive to the line.

This was a much improved second half as Dunbar looked much more relaxed and scored some well worked tries. Next week they head to Galashiels to play the local YM.

Video and match report – D Wilson

Dunbar hosted Trinity in the East Division 2 at Hallhill. Both teams won their opening day fixtures and would be looking to continue their winning runs. Dunbar were Captained on the day by Gary Peebles, playing in his 150th first fifteen match.

 

Dunbar started with a bang, scoring within a minute, when John Peebles crossed in the corner which was converted by Charlton. Trinity came back strongly and should have scored on more than one occasions but Dunbar held out. The visitors did manage a penalty on 9 minutes. The match went through a period where both teams cancelled each other out. Dunbar made the breakthrough again when John Peebles scored his second try on 20 minutes. Charlton converted for a 14-3 lead.

On 33 minutes Dunbar lost hooker Graeme Reid with a neck injury and was replaced by Spowart. Trinity then had a purple patch which resulted in a try in the corner. Dunbar hit straight back a minute later as Graeme Crawford crossed in the corner with Charlton converting to conclude the first half.

 

Trinity started the second half as Dunbar had in the first by scoring from the kick off. Dunbar then pressed the Trinity line for several minutes before Greg Patrizio eventually crossed. Ross Charlton converted to give Dunbar a 28-15 lead. Dunbar then had a penalty in front of the posts and Charlton kept up the good work with the boot. Charlton then became creator as he put in a lovely cross kick and winger Crawford collected to score. With the score at 36-15 on 67 minutes,the match looked over as the visitors looked down and out.

Dunbar conceded a try shortly after which was followed by another two in a three minute period to bring the score to 36-32. Dunbar, as in the previous week held out for the last few minutes to secure another bonus point victory.

Dunbar, having been relegated found themselves back in East 2 after a spell in the top tier. Today’s opponents were Earlston and Dunbar know it is always tough to play there. Conditions were near perfect but unfortunately there was no referee. A quick phone call to someone in the town allowed the game to go ahead. Dunbar were under pressure from the start and the hosts went ahead on 9 minutes from a penalty kick. Dunbar started to get their game flowing with Jamie Peters prominent but could not get the break through their play deserved. It took Dunbar until the 29th minutes to score and it was Peters who finished things off with Charlton converting. It did not take Earlston long to score themselves and it was too easy in the end. The conversion gave them a 10-7 lead on 33 minutes. Dunbar converted one of their own to complete the first half scoring. Dunbar were on the front foot early in the second half and scored a nice try when Daniel Philp crashed over with Charlton converting. Earlston hit back on 52 minutes after a pushover try but the conversion failed. It looked like it was going to happen again but the ball squirted out and Dunbar cleared. It was only relief for a short period as the home side scored a try in the corner after some poor tackling.
Captain Greg Patrizio put his side ahead after 64 minutes again converted by Charlton. Dunbar could not hold on and with time running out Earlston thought they had the victory with another try. The conversion failed but the referee ordered a re-take due to some ungentlemanly conduct by a Dunbar player. The re – take sailed straight through the posts for a 27-24 lead with minutes remaining.
Dunbar then had a good spell of play and Gary Peebles crossed in the corner to give Dunbar a 29-27 lead. Dunbar controlled the remaining time and saw out the match. This was a great result and hopefully the team will only get stronger over the next few weeks