The previous match between the two clubs was a tight affair with Dunbar having to defend resolutely to keep Penicuik from winning the match. The match today would be an extremely tight match as the weather was horrendous and the ground almost like a bog in places.
Penicuik kicked off but the ball failed to go ten so Dunbar had a scrum on half way. Running Rugby would be far from the minds of the players but both teams tried to open up as much as possible but defences held on both sides. The visitors should have scored after 10 minutes when a neat grubber saw the ball fail to bounce up to Gary Peebles at the line. The referee awarded a twenty two but it was clear the Penicuik player touched the ball before it crossed the line. Dunbar were trying to hit up through Peters and Peebles but the home defence stood firm. There was a lot of turn over balls when on the ground by both teams. There were a lot of loose throws in the line out but Dunbar were winning their fair share.
Dunbar took the lead on 24 minutes when a nice chip over the top was gathered by Antoin Penrose and he quickly passed to the onrushing Gary Peebles to get the touch down. Charlton converted for a 7-0 lead. Dunbar should have went further ahead when Josh Nicol came up short but Charlton knocked on. Jamie Peters went on a crash ball and looked to have been tripped but play went on but the home side cleared. The referee then blew for half time with both teams barely recognisable in the mud.
Dunbar were immediately on the back foot and on 45 minutes Penicuik crossed the whitewash only to be well held up. The home side kept up the attack and only dogged determination kept them out. Penicuik crossed the line again on 52 minutes and yet again were held up. Dunbar then had scrum half Jack Walters yellow carded for kicking the ball at the back of the scrum. Dunbar were under the cosh but defended incredibly well but were forced to concede on 59 minutes. The Dunbar players were adamant they had held the player up but the referee did not agree.
Dunbar, from the restart got some decent possession for a while but it was not long before they were pegged back to their own line. The defence was yet again magnificent as they soaked up the pressure and then broke out after turning over the ball. Dunbar had a penalty advantage and Charlton chipped over the defence. The Penicuik winger knocked the ball towards his own twenty two under pressure from Penrose and it was the Dunbar full back who retrieved the ball and should have passed to Peebles but went to the ground. The Dunbar forwards now attacked the home line on several occasions before Captain Greg Patrizio smashed over from close range to give his side the lead. Charlton saw his kick from the touchline pull up short. Dunbar now had 10 minutes to hold out for the win. Penicuik tried their best but the Dunbar team were not for giving it away this time. The forwards turned over the ball and kept the ball tight for the last four minutes to see them win an extremely tight match.
Penicuik will be hugely disappointed as they had the majority of possession in the second half but could not make it count. Hat’s off to the Dunbar defence who were magnificent to a man. Dunbar’s last three league matches are all at home and the win today sees them move into second place ahead of Langholm who have a couple of matches in hand.
Match report and Photos – David Wilson – Chairman Dunbar RFC