AN UNDER-STRENGTH Dunfermline side received a rude welcome to National League Division Three with a hammering in Glasgow on Saturday.

On the back of a crushing 87-0 loss to Howe of Fife in the cup the week before, the newly promoted side found the first day in a higher division just as tough.

Unfortunately the Dunfermline squad was depleted with injuries and unavailability meaning coaches Derek O’Riordan and Caine McIntyre took places on the bench.

From the kick off the two teams exchanged territory and it was quite a close affair. But a breakaway try gave the West of Scotland side a surge of confidence.

Dunfermline hit back and after some pressure were awarded a penalty, which was expertly kicked by Graeme Low.

West’s big pack and powerful backs started to string phases together and after pressure in the scrum, it wasn’t long until they started to cross the try line. Dunfermline made too many errors and struggled to contain the home side who, by now, smelt blood and went into the half-time break 29-3 ahead.

The second half saw more of the same for Dunfermline, too many changes having an effect on the ability to win set piece and the lack of cohesion from the backs added to their woes. West added more scores through good set-piece play by the backs and the Fifers’ misery was compounded when substitute Niall Campbell was yellow carded for a cynical offence at the breakdown.

The Glasgow side added to their tally and a tired and dejected Dunfermline side ended up losing by 50 points.

O’Riordan was hopeful that the return of key individuals would help lift them off the bottom of the table. Dunfermline play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they face Preston Lodge and the coach is hoping a big crowd will help his boys get over last week’s defeat.

Dunfermline’s second XV played at Dalkeith in their first game of the season.

And their squad full of youth and a sprinkling of experience blew away their opponents in a one-sided but entertaining game.

There was plenty of flowing rugby and good performances from Blair Nicol and Calum Allerdice, while Cammy Morgan grabbed a hat-trick of tries.

After struggling last season to fulfil fixtures, the club have high hopes that the good numbers attending training will help them go from strength to strength.

The seconds are also at home this weekend, entertaining Watsonians third XV. Both teams kick off at 3pm.