Dalkeith faced Dunbar in the semi final of the Edinburgh Bowl Competition, but were still reeling from a huge injury and unavailability list, that had hampered their performances in recent weeks.

However, Dalkeith began brightly in the damp conditions, with close in driving pinning the Dunbar defence back and gaining a penalty for offside as they drive into the visitors 22. Hamilton’s kick goes wide though and things remain tied at 0-0. Dalkeith keep up their driving game though and at this stage Dunbar are struggling to secure any meaningful possession. A high tackle on Hamilton then gifts Dalkeith another shot at goal, but again the swirling wind takes it wide.

Uphill and into the teeth of the gale, Dalkeith maintain their close driving play and Dunbar are struggling to maintain their discipline, being caught off-side continually, but Dalkeith can’t capitalise on their good field position. Eventually the referee has had enough and Dunbar lose their fly-half to the bin after yet another breakdown infringement.

However, this seems to galvanise the visitors who make great strides in driving towards the home 22, where a penalty allows a kick for the 5m line. The subsequent pick and drive is initially held up, but the visitors then open the scoring with a try after 23 mins, the conversion making things 0-7. The conditions are not conducive to running rugby and both teams are struggling to make significant headway with the ball in hand, but just before half time some impressive phases again has the visitors driving into the home 22 and the defence is pulled in allowing another try and a 0-12 half time lead.

Dalkeith start the second half brightly, but are again are thwarted in putting points on the board by the miserly Dunbar defence and the visotrs clear the danger. When Dunbar pull out another score, things are looking bleak for the home side, with the deficit now up to 0-19. However, Dalkeith then have their best spell of the game and are camped in the Dunbar 22 for the best part of 10 mins, but again look like being repelled in their efforts for a try. However, their perseverance pays off and a converted score gives the home side some hope at 7-19.

Dalkeith go on the offensive again and are unlucky not to add to their score, which may have sown the seed of doubt with the visitors, but a penalty on the Dalkeith 22 then gives Dunbar some more breathing space at 7-22 and they hold on for the win.

Dalkeith will be hoping that many of their regulars will return in time for next weeks home fixture against Gala YM as their promising season has become bogged down in the mud of November!