DUNFERMLINE coach Derek O’Riordan believes that his young guns will benefit in the future from the harsh nature of National League rugby.

The McKane men went down to their 10th defeat out of 13 BT National League Division Three matches on Saturday as they lost 32-8 to fourth-placed Dumfries Saints in a match that was postponed in November as the hosts were unable to field a front row.

The West Fifers had shocked the then league leaders in September with a 29-8 win at McKane to secure their first maximum points of the season but have since won only once in their last five games.

O’Riordan’s men failed to recover from a 27-3 deficit at half-time and with eight matches remaining in the league, they find themselves embroiled in a battle to avoid an instant return to Caledonia League Division One.

With three teams set to be relegated at the end of the campaign, Dunfermline, in second-bottom spot on 13 points, are three points adrift of safety and fourth-bottom Hawick YM, who also enjoy a healthier points difference.

But ahead of his team’s trip to the capital to play RHC RFC on Saturday, O’Riordan told Press Sport, “Ultimately on Saturday it came down to experience.

“We had two 18-year-olds playing in each of the wing positions and Dumfries exploited that.

“We’re fairly solid through the middle, where we were leaking a few tries at the start of the season, but we’re much better in there now. It is just a case of upskilling the lads in other areas.

“We drew the second half 5-5 but the damage had been done in the first. We knew what we were going into this season and it is just a case of bedding the guys into the level we’re playing at. We know that we’re in a dogfight this season but no matter what happens, the guys will really benefit from it and be better for it next season.” Dunfermline were beaten 43-17 by the Edinburgh side when they visited McKane in September and RHC – only six points behind second top Dumfries – have lost just once at home to Preston Lodge. They will provide a formidable test for O’Riordan’s side, with the match at Union Park in Carrick Knowe kicking off at 2pm.

DUNFERMLINE coach Derek O’Riordan believes that his young guns will benefit in the future from the harsh nature of National League rugby.

The McKane men went down to their 10th defeat out of 13 BT National League Division Three matches on Saturday as they lost 32-8 to fourth-placed Dumfries Saints in a match that was postponed in November as the hosts were unable to field a front row.

The West Fifers had shocked the then league leaders in September with a 29-8 win at McKane to secure their first maximum points of the season but have since won only once in their last five games.

O’Riordan’s men failed to recover from a 27-3 deficit at half-time and with eight matches remaining in the league, they find themselves embroiled in a battle to avoid an instant return to Caledonia League Division One.

With three teams set to be relegated at the end of the campaign, Dunfermline, in second-bottom spot on 13 points, are three points adrift of safety and fourth-bottom Hawick YM, who also enjoy a healthier points difference.

But ahead of his team’s trip to the capital to play RHC RFC on Saturday, O’Riordan told Press Sport, “Ultimately on Saturday it came down to experience.

“We had two 18-year-olds playing in each of the wing positions and Dumfries exploited that.

“We’re fairly solid through the middle, where we were leaking a few tries at the start of the season, but we’re much better in there now. It is just a case of upskilling the lads in other areas.

“We drew the second half 5-5 but the damage had been done in the first. We knew what we were going into this season and it is just a case of bedding the guys into the level we’re playing at. We know that we’re in a dogfight this season but no matter what happens, the guys will really benefit from it and be better for it next season.” Dunfermline were beaten 43-17 by the Edinburgh side when they visited McKane in September and RHC – only six points behind second top Dumfries – have lost just once at home to Preston Lodge. They will provide a formidable test for O’Riordan’s side, with the match at Union Park in Carrick Knowe kicking off at 2pm.