Dalkeith S2 played host to Boroughmuir S2 at Kings Park on Sunday. This was the first time these 2 teams had met for a number of seasons so neither team knew what to expect from the other.
With a few players missing to injury and illness Dalkeith rejigged their pack and brought in Conan McVey, Gavin Davidson and Darren (Smudge) Cruz. The backline, also altered, had a more familiar feel with Michael Wilson returning to centre after a few weeks out injured.
Wilson of Dalkeith kicked off with a high hanging kick down the slope which was gathered cleanly by Boroughmuir. Boroughmuir seemed intent on running the ball out of their own 22 but Dalkeith turned the ball over with some good tackling and counter rucking. A good interchange between Euan Lockhart and Thomas Philip down the narrow side got behind the defence and a quick ball against the grain from scrum half Daniel Forbes to Connor (CD) Donaldson on the charge and Dalkeith were in for their first score with 1 minute gone. Michael Wilson adding the conversion from out wide.
Dalkeith caught the restart and took the direct route into Boroughmuir's 22 only to lose the ball in contact. Dalkeith were then penalised for coming in from the side at the next ruck but the game had to be stopped at this point as Davidson was injured and it looked serious. After assesing the injury it was decided the player couldn't be moved and the game was moved to the big pitch. Fortunately Davidson only has bruising and will be back playing in a few weeks.
The game restarted on the big pitch with a penalty to Boroughmuir who kicked to touch just outside their 22. Dalkeith's lineout, which has been an effective weapon this season, stole the ball and the forwards rumbled over for CD's 2nd try. Conversion missed.
Boroughmuir kicked off up the hill and Dalkeith took the direct route again breaking the first and second tackles. The forwards were setting the rucks up well and more clean ball deep in Boroughmuir's 22 brought Dalkeith's best move of the game . Forbes got the ball to Connor Featherstonehaugh  who threw a miss pass out to Wilson. Quick hands from McMillan and an unselfish  commit and pass from Phillip put Lockhart in at the corner for Dalkeiths third try.
Boroughmuir restarted and Dalkeith seemed to switch off allowing Boroughmuir to turn the ball over for a well worked score which they converted. This seemed to wake Dalkeith up who scored another 2 tries before half time, one for CD to bring up his hatrick and one for Smudge who broke 3 or 4 tackles on his way to his first ever score.
The second half was a much closer affair with both sides scoring 2 tries each with Boroughmuir also holding up CD over the line. 2nd half try scorers were Peter Neil, who outpaced the defence and Darren McMillan who barged his way through a number of tackles.

Final Score: Dalkeith 23 Boroughmuir 10