The game was switched to Pinkie, the Stoneyhill pitch being frozen. The visitors kicked off into the wind in the shape of stand-off Gregor McNeish on a cold, blustery afternoon, the pitch fully exposed to the elements. Musselburgh quickly gained early possession and David O’Hagan lofted a Garry Owen into the opposition territory as his backs followed up in the shape of Brunton and Cook. The play was being squeezed into the middle third of the pitch as close contact tussles became the norm. Musselburgh began to gain some territorial advantage and apply some pressure with centres Cook and Davis very prominent, before the visitors were penalised and O’Hagan converted from 30 metres.

The Musselburgh pack continued to take the game to Dunfermline and forced another two penalties which were both missed in difficult conditions. Paddy Kirkland and Josh Allen were a constant threat to the visitors as they coughed up another penalty from which, O’Hagan duly converted.

Dunfermline were on the defensive as Musselburgh strove for an opening, but the visitors were holding firm with locks Colin Stewart and Sky Laurie working like demons. Musselburgh then increased the lead when, following a late tackle, the referee gave a double penalty and O’Hagan put them nine points up.

The home side continued to press with forwards and backs linking well and Fleming was showing up well in the loose in an attempt to break through. The Dunfermline defence performed admirably to deny the home side. The early dominance of Musselburgh was eventually rewarded when Liam Draycott picked up a loose ball from Dunfermline hands and sprinted to the line for the first try of the game, which was converted by O’Hagan for 16-0.

Both sets of forwards were by now fully engaged in a tough battle, Colin Stewart and Sky Laurie the Dunfermline locks being especially prominent. The visitors forced a penalty and McNeish got them on the scoreboard which appeared to give them confidence and Stewart made a magnificent break, more reminiscent of a centre than a lock, as his pack put Musselburgh under pressure for the first time. The visitors continued to press with full-back Scott Swankie and centre Caine MacIntyre making incisive runs. Dunfermline were having their best period of the game, when Musselburgh hit them on the break with a superb breakaway try, a fine break by Cook up the wing was crowned by a typically unselfish pass to the supporting Paddy Kirkland who went over for an unconverted try and a score line of 21-3.

Musselburgh, having scored their second try were hoping to consolidate their advantage, but before half time McNeish scored with a penalty to leave the interval score at 21-6.

The second half started personnel changes by Musselburgh as they tried to stem the visitors’ flow of early attacks. Dunfermline started the second half strongly with McNeish dictating play and centre MacIntyre forcing the issue as they fought to get back into the game. The visitors forced mistakes from Musselburgh and Josh Allen was sin binned as the forwards’ battle continued.

Dunfermline’s prop, Danny Jennings and flanker Alex Henderson were both carrying the ball well and giving Musselburgh problems. The play began to flow from end to end as Musselburgh held the visitors out, before a misplaced pass brought an interception try for Dunfermline by Stewart. Stewart who showed terrific pace for a lock exchanged passes with McNeish to score a fine try which was converted by McNeish for 21-13.

The loss of the score stung Musselburgh into action and Craig Veitch had a fine break up the wing, and several heavy forward drives for the line were stopped just short. Musselburgh attempting to add tries were taking quick penalties rather than take the points when opportunities arose. This was to prove costly as another try was conceded via another interception from half way, the grateful recipient this time Caine McIntyre, the visitors centre, before McNeish kicked a wonderful conversion to leave the game teetering on the brink at 21-20.

As the game drew to a close Musselburgh attacked frantically in an attempt to close out the result. The Dunfermline defence held firm, however Musselburgh forced a penalty, but O’Hagan was unsuccessful from the touchline.

Musselburgh drove on, in the attempt to score. The visiting pack were penalised again, and once more the opportunity of points was spurned, as the tap penalty proved fruitless. McNeish cleared the lines with a thumping kick to the corner and from the resulting line out Dunfermline won good ball to set McNeish up for a drop goal which gave them the lead with two minutes remaining. Dunfermline played the remaining minutes out with good ball retention by the forwards before the final whistle.

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