Last-gasp try leaves Dalziel devastated Narrow defeat continues tough start to season
Dalziel ................ 20 St Boswell’s ....... 24
Dalziel suffered an agonising late defeat at the hands of St Boswell’s on Saturday.
It’s been a tough start to the BT National League 3 season with three defeats in a row but, at Dalziel Park, it was late heartbreak.
St Boswell’s took the lead after five minutes through a Craik penalty after an illegal entry at the ruck by Dalziel.
On the 15-minute mark, Dalziel were turned over just inside their half, before Penman was able to cut back inside and dart through a gap in the Dalziel defence to race in from 40 metres to score under the posts. The conversion was added, and St Boswells were now 10-0 ahead.
Dalziel hit back immediately, after a penalty allowed them to kick into the corner.
The hosts attacked the line for 10 phases before scrum-half Andy McLaren spotted a gap at the base of a ruck and dashed through to open the scoring for the home team. Andrew Glover duly converted.
From 40 metres in front of the post, Glover cooly slotted the kick to draw his side level with 20 minutes gone.
The next score was again straight from the restart, with Dalziel giving away a silly penalty and Craik put his side back in front.
With 30 minutes gone, St Boswells pushed further ahead with another penalty after Dalziel had killed the ball at a ruck.
As half time approached, James Baxendale intercepted Saints and raced home to score from 65 metres. Glover converted and Dalziel had a half time lead of 17-16.
Early in the second half Dalziel lost Bengy Barsanti to the sin bin. Despite being a man down, Dalziel defended heroically, and kept St Boswells at bay.
As soon as Dalziel were restored to 15 men, they lost Baxendale to the sin bin for an “seat-belt” tackle.
Dalziel continued to repel St Boswells, but eventually Craik was given a shot at goal after a scrum infringement and put his side in the lead at 19-17.
Glover soon regained the lead for Dalziel with a penalty kick from in front of the posts.
With five minutes to go, St Boswell’s attacked down the left hand side of the pitch and as it looked like the game had gone, however, Penman got a foot to the ball and was able to fly hack it on. He then was the recipient of a fortuitous bounce of the ball and scored in the corner.
Craik missed the touch line conversion, but his side were now 24-20 up and held on for the win.