Dunbar were on their travels looking to make it three wins in a row against Trinity at Bangholm. Dunbar got off to a good start when Ross Charlton converted a penalty after just one minute. Trinity levelled on five minutes from a similar penalty. On 11 minutes Dunbar seemed to have a simple penalty in front of goal but decided to run the ball with no outcome and Trinity cleared their lines. Trinity went ahead on 20 minutes when their big number eight ran in through many missed tackles. Trinity kept up the pressure and had two kickable chances but elected to scrum allowing Dunbar to clear upfield. Dunbar were dealt a blow on 32 minutes when Captain on the day, Jamie Peters was double yellow carded. This left Dunbar with a big hill to climb. Trinity extended their lead from the resultant penalty. Charlton then kicked a penalty for Dunbar to complete the first half scoring.

Dunbar started the second half well but found themselves further behind when Trinity scored a nice try after a good cross field kick which was converted for a 18-6 lead. This looked too much for the 14 man Dunbar team and it looked like they would be facing an onslaught. Dunbar had other thoughts and Antoin Penrose scored a try from close in converted by Charlton on 55 minutes. Dunbar continued to press playing a simple forward oriented pick and drive with Main and Brown at the fore. Trinity then had a man yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Main. Dunbar kept up the attack and scored probably the best try of the match when Tom Wight finished off a move.

Charlton converted to give Dunbar a slender lead. Trinity then missed two penalties as they tried to snatch back the lead. Trinity kept up the pressure and a mistake by Dunbar saw the home side crash over in the corner on 72 minutes. With time running out and Dunbar in attack mode the home number eight was carded as Trinity gave away penalty after penalty and many were asking why had it taken the referee so long. Dunbar then threw everything at the Trinity line and Ally Brown crashed over to give Dunbar the lead on 78 minutes. Charlton saw his kick come so close but was just wide.

Dunbar only had to see out the last couple of minutes and seemed to be on course for the win until the referee gave a penalty to Trinity. Dunbar were in possession and there was not a person who could understand the decision given as time was almost up. Trinity kicked the penalty from just inside the Dunbar half and the match was gone.

This is the second week that it seemed to be all about the referee with some strange decisions and constant blowing of the whistle. Dunbar are at home for their last match of 2018 when they host Langholm.

Match Report and Photos – David Wilson, Chairman Dunbar RFC