Dunfermline 3 Gordonians 44

DUNFERMLINE’S two-game winning run came to a crashing halt as they were swept aside by Gordonians on Saturday.

Coach Caine McIntyre’s team were powerless to stop the in-form visitors, who had won seven of their opening eight games to top BT Caledonia Division One prior to their McKane Park visit, from running in seven tries and securing a bonus-point victory.

The Blues had enjoyed a bonus-point victory of their own in their previous game, crossing the whitewash six times on their way to a 38-8 thumping of Carnoustie.

But the Aberdeen side proved a significant step-up in class and they dished out a hammering.

Dunfermline’s defence has been an area of their game that has pleased head coach McIntyre so far this season – barring a heavy 51-15 defeat at Glenrothes last month.

They had also restricted second-top Caithness to just three penalty scores in a narrow loss the following week.

And, even after conceding an early score which was converted by the visitors, Dunfermline responded well and pushed Gordonians into their own territory.

However they could not find a way over the try line and it went downhill from there.

They suffered a blow when they lost Martin Punter to injury and to make matters worse, Gordonians crossed over for their second try after a sustained period of pressure before the break but they were unable to convert for the additional points.

The scoreboard however began to look more emphatic after the break when another two tries – one of which was converted – put the visitors into a 22-0 lead before Graeme Low kicked over a penalty to register Dunfermline’s only points of the afternoon.

Another unconverted score took Gordonians further clear and their comfortable victory was completed late on when two scores, the first of which saw them win a foot race to the ball and the second of which came from a breakaway, saw them add another 12 points to their total and complete a tough afternoon for Dunfermline.

Blues take a break from league action this weekend due to the autumn international between Scotland and Australia at Murrayfield, but travel to Strathmore on November 19. Kick-off is at 2pm.