Dunfermline 29

Glenrothes 28

DUNFERMLINE recorded a perfect 10 to leave Glenrothes feeling blue and make a flying start to their league campaign on Saturday.

Adam Fraser’s late drop goal grabbed a thrilling derby victory for Mark Dobson’s in-form Blues in their Caledonia Division One opener – to extend their winning run to 10 successive matches.

Not since a 39-16 reverse to Aberdeen Wanderers last October have they tasted defeat in a competitive game, with the Glens now having been beaten twice by Dunfermline in the last three weeks.

They returned to McKane Park on the back of a 26-15 Caledonia Regional Shield exit and, although they secured a losing bonus point, it was Dunfermline who were celebrating at the end of a dramatic 80 minutes.

They were, however, trailing at the half-time interval – despite Fraser’s boot providing nine points – as Callum Kennedy scored two converted tries for Glenrothes, with the same player adding a third early in the second half.

But, after the visitors lost a man to the sin bin, the Blues responded when Ryan Vidler crossed under the posts for their first try of the afternoon, and that converted score was soon followed by another from Manoa Satala as they edged 23-21 ahead.

Although Fraser booted over another penalty to add three more points to the tally, the drama was not yet over as Kennedy’s fourth converted score handed the initiative back to Glenrothes.

But, just when it seemed like they might hold on, Fraser’s drop goal snatched it for Dunfermline, and Dobson commented: “I’m happy to get the result but, in parts, our performance didn’t meet the standards that the guys have set themselves.

“However, our discipline was outstanding. We didn’t concede any kickable penalties; they scored four converted tries but we scored nine points on the back of their lack of discipline. I think that we were 21-9 down so to pull it out of the fire even when we were not playing our best, against our local rivals, was pleasing. Fair play to the opposition; they didn’t allow us to play so I was happy we were able to adapt. It’s another sign that the team are really growing together and the things we’re putting in place are paying off.”

He added: “That’s 10-in-a-row and some of the old boys at the club have been scratching their heads trying to think of the last time we won 10-in-a-row.

“There’s now an expectation that when Dunfermline take to the field, they will win the game.”

This Saturday, Dunfermline travel to Harris Academy while, on Sunday, an under-20s team will take on touring Uruguayan side Carrasco Polo Club at McKane.

Kick-off is at 3pm.