Dunfermline U15's narrowly out-scored by Melrose

Dunfermline U15s completed their pre-season warm up matches with a well fought match against a pacey Melrose outfit. On a wet day at McKane Park, handling was always going to be difficult, and the opening exchanges were error-strewn with the wet ball. Melrose opened the scoring, but Dunfermline hit back quickly with tries scored mostly down the right flank, all scored after some outstanding support play - Melrose's first up tackles were good, but we were able to continue the attacks with good off-loading to the support runners.
The first half was probably as complete a performance as this side has put together, equally good in defence with good line-speed and excellent tackling. We were heading into the break with a comfortable lead, with Melrose pulling a try back despite an obvious knock-on, apparent to everyone except the referee.
Half-Time: Dunfermline 22 - 10 Melrose
The second half showed a reversal in fortunes. Dunfermline opened the scoring after a fine move from right to left. However, Melrose continued to threaten, and the introduction of a fast centre gave them the edge in midfield, and allowed them to get the ball to their wingers more regularly. Dunfermline were stretched defensively, and a tiring attack on the heavy surface saw some good moves come to nothing, with the support runners just off the pace. A couple of Melrose tries came from good handing out to the wing, while a couple more were scored with fly hacks to the ball on the wet surface, beautifully controlled by the chasing players.
Dunfermline finished the scoring with a lovely try from a breakdown, Duncan not needing the players out side him to break the line and touch down.
Just time for Melrose to re-start, but they played smart and kicked the ball dead.
Final Score: Dunfermline 34 - 37 Melrose

All in all a cracking game. With this and the convincing win at Stirling last weekend, the U15 squad go into the Conference season with a great deal of confidence.