Published: Thursday, 23rd October, 2008 8:45am

Tough at the top for toiling Dunfermline

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Dunfermline 31 Perthshire 24

IT is sometimes the case when top plays bottom that the lesser-ranked team performs above expectations and causes a huge surprise to the supposed better team. And this was very much what happened at McKane Park on Saturday.

After only 10 minutes the away team had raced into a 14-point lead and had Dunfermline on the rack.

As in previous weeks, it was home mistakes that allowed Perthshire easy possession – and in this case easy possession within striking distance of the home line. The two tries were almost identical and came through the heart of the home defence, a problem that will have to be addressed for the coming weeks.

Despite this early setback and playing into the teeth of the wind, Dunfermline rallied and controlled the next 30 minutes. They scored two good tries, one from try machine Rob Hamilton and one from wing Jonny Smart.

The second half began as the first ended with Dunfermline dominating possession and territory, but as in previous weeks individual errors were costing them dearly. They did eventually take the lead, Hamilton burrowing over for his second and with Ali O"Connor adding the extras Dunfermline took the lead.

The crowd expected Dunfermline to go on and win the game but Perthshire ended up scoring next to take a two-point advantage into the final 10 minutes.

Dunfermline responded immediately with a try of their own through centre Wayne Barr to make the score 24-19.

But with two minutes to go Perthshire crashed over next to the posts for their fourth try to level the scores with the conversion to come. Unbelievably, the away kicker missed the easy opportunity to keep the scores level with a minute to go.

From the kick-off Perth knocked on to give Dunfermline a scrum 30 metres out. From this, a rehearsed move went to plan and saw scrum half and man of the match Johnny Bruton scamper in for the final say and to secure Dunfermline another five-point victory.

This week they travel to newly-promoted Falkirk for what will be a tough fixture.