RUGBY UNION

Rugby: Dunfermline finish third in National League Division Four

Dunfermline Rugby Club's senior men's first XV secured third place in National League Division Four on Saturday. <i>(Image: David Wardle.)</i>
Dunfermline Rugby Club's senior men's first XV secured third place in National League Division Four on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)
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Dunfermline Rugby Club's senior men's first XV wrapped up their season by securing third place in National League Division Four on Saturday.

Gavin Emerson's side only needed a point from their trip to Whitecraigs to tie up that position in the table and, in appalling weather conditions, did so after a 24-all draw.

With a pitch saturated by heavy rainfall, the McKane Park men weren't able to play their usual brand of free-flowing rugby, but the way they adapted to it pleased their head coach.

"It would've been nice to win, and I think we would've won that game if it was a nicer day, but we adapted. It's another bit of growth for our lads," Emerson told Press Sport.


READ MORE: Sparkling Dunfermline close in on third-place finish


"Given the conditions of the game, it was probably a nice summary of our season, and how the boys have developed and shown a bit of maturity, character and resilience to just tie up their boots and get the work done.

"It wasn't pretty, but it shows we can still battle hard in those conditions, and the character of the players really shone through."

Dunfermline opened the scoring in the match but, on a soft pitch, Emerson felt their opponents adapted to the conditions better in the opening period.

Whitecraigs took a 19-7 lead into the interval but, in the second half, they began to be penalised for high tackles, which saw two of their players sent to the sin bin.

The visitors took advantage by crossing the whitewash for a second time, and then, after their opponents returned to their full compliment, scored another.

However, going into the last play of the match, Dunfermline were behind, but an unconverted try saw them level the game and ensure both teams earned three points.

"We could've actually kicked it to win the game. Obviously, that didn't happen, but we took three points from it, so it was more than we needed, which was cool," Emerson said.

"A 24-24 draw I think was probably the best outcome for both teams because it was horrendous conditions, and both teams really worked hard in that space, just with the resilience to keep going again, getting tackled into a puddle, and getting back up and going again.

"I said to the lads that, although we want a point, lets give a good account of ourselves, it'll leave us in a good place going into the off-season, give us a bit of a morale coming into the new season that we finished well."

Meanwhile, in Caledonia Midlands Region League Division Three, the club's second XV were 43-12 winners over Arbroath at McKane.

This Saturday, they welcome Dundee Uni Medics for a 3pm kick off.

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