Dunfermline win second match in a row

“It was a tough one and a really good one from the guys,” Emerson told Press Sport.

“It was pleasing, and it was the most pleased that the coaches have been after a game so far this season. Perthshire are a physical team, but the boys stuck to the task and beat them in certain areas of the park with their physicality.

“We played some good rugby for the majority of the game and it’s our first away win in the national league, which is good for the confidence of the team. We’re only three games in but we’re at the right end of the table, so we just need to keep plugging away.

“We’ve got two games at home over the next two weeks, so it’s a good chance to get a couple more wins under our belt before we start to play some of the longer away games..”

This Saturday, Dunfermline welcome Stewartry, who last season defeated the McKane men in the semifinals of the National Shield.

The Castle Douglas based team have wontheir first three fixtures, securing a bonus point in one of them, to sit second in the table behind Garnock.

“They come to McKane, the reverse of the game last season,” Emerson noted. “It will be a tough one, but one that we are capable of winning. I’m buzzing for it. I said months ago that we can beat Stewartry, and I still think that, but we need to play and earn that.”

Kick off on Saturday is at 3pm. Elsewhere, Dunfermline’s second XV endured a tough start in Caledonia Midlands Region League Division Two, losing 43-17 at home to Alloa, whilst the women’s side saw their winning start to the Caledonia Midlands / East Region League Two campaign end with a 17-7 loss at Lismore.

The second XV are not in action this week, but the women host Kirkcaldy on Sunday at McKane, with kick off scheduled for 2pm.