Dalziel moveup

Dalziel moved up to 10th in the BT National League 3 table with a 24-3 win over Hillhead Jordanhill.

The result takes the Motherwell side four points clear of Orkney.

Dalziel attacked from the start and were unlucky not to take the lead when Andrew Glover’s penalty hit the left upright and bounced back.

However, Stephen Baird gathered the loose ball and set up a ruck, Glover took a short pass from Graham Calder at the base to burst through and score his side’s opening try, and converted for a 7-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Hillhead went close to a try of their own, but Dalziel attacked again and from a maul Calder took ball from the back and popped it to Ryan Burrell, who barged through to score under the posts, with Glover converting.

Euan Brown slotted a penalty for Hillhead just before the interval, as the sides turned at 14-3.

After the break Hillhead dominated possession and territory, but Dalziel showed real grit and maturity in defence and denied the visitors any space.

After eight minutes of solid defending, Dalziel got hold of the ball and moved play to the half-way line, before a high tackle by Owen Gemmell gave Glover another shot at goal, which he took for a 24-3 lead.

Hillhead were relentless in pursuit of their first try, but Dalziel held fast and cleared everything that was thrown at them.

The best chance the visitors had was when Armand Bauchet seized possession and looked odds-on to score, before a superb covering tackle by Lee Mcwhinnie stopped him in his tracks.

However, Dalziel attacked again and from a good forward move ball found its way to Craig Simmonds, who was able to reach out and score to the left of the posts, with Glover converting.

Dalziel pressed for the bonus point try, almost forcing a turn over, but in the process ball was kicked into touch and the game was finished.