Published: Thursday, 2nd October, 2008 11:00am

Dunfermline Rugby Club gear up for big Kirkcaldy clash with victory

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Ellon 8 Dunfermline 34

DUNFERMLINE go into this Saturday"s top-of-the-table derby clash with Kirkcaldy on the back of a convincing bonus points victory at Ellon.

It was Dunfermline"s first victory there since the northern team had gained promotion four years ago and was achieved with a light, young and inexperienced side due to various player commitments.

Dunfermline began the better in the rainy conditions, peppering the tights-clad home full back with a variety of kicks that he was quite simply unable to cope with.

This territorial advantage resulted in three great scores, firstly Rob Hamilton scored for the second week in succession, next Jonny Smart (pictured above) also scored for the second consecutive week and finally captain Scott Swankie grabbed a brilliant individual score.

Ali O"Connor added a conversion and a penalty to take Dunfermline"s half-time total to 20 while Ellon"s only response was a penalty.

The second half saw Dunfermline confronted by all the elements but this didn"t spoil a fine team performance.

Despite some pressure from the home 15, it was still Dunfermline who were playing the elements and creating chances through tight driving forward play and slick backs handling.

Winger Smart nearly had the try of the season but the final pass went astray.

Ellon created some pressure for themselves eventually and mounted a series of close drives but the Dunfermline defence stood firm.

Then injuries to McColl and Hannah saw Callum Mackenzie, the 17-year-old son of club president Grant, make his debut for the firsts, meaning that six of the pack were under-20.

Still Ellon were unable to score and just when it looked like they might O"Connor intercepted almost on his own line to run the length of the field to secure the bonus point. Johnny Bruton stepped up to knock over the conversion.

More was to come as Dunfermline regained the momentum; some good interplay created space for centre Daly to exploit and after a 20-metre dash he drew the full back and sent Wayne Barr over for an easy touchdown on his return to first fifteen duty, Bruton again adding the extras.

As the game was coming to a close Ellon had the final say when after a series of scrum attacks the youthful visiting pack succumbed to a pushover try.

Kirkcaldy head to McKane Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) trying to keep their unbeaten record intact while Dunfermline will have the incentive of jumping over them with a win.