After the disappointment of last week, when Dunbar were robbed of the victory against Trinity the
team met Langholm at home. The weather forecast was atrocious and the Hallhill pitch was
partially frozen early morning. Langholm were keen to travel and the pitch was ever improving so
the match went ahead.
Dunbar were without the suspended Jamie Peters but had on paper one of the strongest teams they
had put out all season.

Dunbar, with the elements went on the front foot from the start and took a well-deserved lead after
just 3 minutes when Antoin Penrose broke a tackle and went over under the posts.

Ross Charlton converted for a 7-0 lead. Dunbar continued to dominate and should have extended their lead but
the referee pulled it back. Josh Nicol had a good run but was brought down short. The young
winger then got his try with a superb solo effort after 18 minutes. Charlton converted for a 14-0
lead. Dunbar were rampant and had a penalty but decided to run it without reward. A second
penalty was awarded and this time Charlton stepped forward to convert the kick on 21. A high
tackle on 24 minutes gave Dunbar another chance and Charlton stepped up for another three
points for a 20-0 lead.

Another penalty was converted a minute later and a try by scrum half Jack
Walters followed to give Dunbar a 28-0 lead after 32 minutes. Dunbar then went to sleep from the
restart and Langholm took their chance with a try and conversion. With time well over the 40
minutes Langholm struck again to complete the first half scoring at 28-12.
Dunbar started the second half well with Callum Champion roaring into the Langholm twenty two.
Langholm managed to clear their lines and took play into the Dunbar half. A neat kick by the
Langholm 10 put Dunbar on the back foot. A clear knock on was missed by the referee and a try
was scored on 46 minutes. Dunbar responded with a penalty a minute later. This was followed by
another penalty on 53 minutes. The weather conditions were getting much worse and the wind was
causing a free problems. The Langholm stand-off then had a great solo run to score after 61
minutes which was converted and it was match on. The visitors then missed a simple penalty kick
after 65 minutes. Langholm then scored another try but the simple conversion was missed. This put
Langholm just five points behind. Langholm then scored again to level things and the conversion
put them ahead with just a couple of minutes remaining. Dunbar managed to win the ball from the
restart and were awarded a penalty 35 metres out. With the wind gusting strongly across the pitch,
the pressure was on Ross Charlton. The Dunbar stand-off did not get good contact and looked to be
going wide but the ball struck the upright and dropped over the bar. Dunbar, for the second week
in a row needed to control the ball for the remaining time. This time they succeeded for the narrow
victory which took them above Langholm. The Dunbar players can now enjoy the xmas break.

Final Score – Dunbar 37 – Langholm 36

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