Dunfermline S2s beaten by strong Glasgow Hawks side

We'd been looking forward to this match as one of the tougher challenges of the conference season, but unfortunately some last minute call offs through injury and illness, and a couple of disappointing no-shows, left us weakened and with only one substitute.
Nonetheless, we started quite enthusiastically, with Gregor playing out of position in a makeshift backline, and threatened early on after a period of staunch defending, only for Hawks to break and score. Following the restart, Dunfermline secured possession and launched a multi-pass attack, with Gregor breaking the line in midfield and evading tacklers to score.
The rest of the half saw Hawks dominate possession, with them being faster and more committed to the rucks, and with Dunfermline failing to fill the field in defence, and despite Dunfermline launching a number of attacks, it was Hawks who scored two further tries.
Half time: Dunfermline 4 - 11 Glasgow Hawks

The second half started in much the same vien, Dunfermline attacking generally well when we had the ball, but Hawks retained possession through their better rucking, and a few tired Dunfermline boys hiding behind rucks meant we struggled out wide in defence (something to work on in training!) Hawks took their chances well with three early tries.
By this time injuries were starting to take their toll, Kian and Finlee both having to take time off to recover from knocks. Andrew, still recovering from a knee injury, took to the field when he'd have preferred to have stayed rested, but at least the backline looked a better shape, with Duncan able to apply more influence one position out at inside centre, and Kian with more space at outside centre. Kian scored the first of three unanswered consolation tries from a simple backs move from a scrum. From the next restart, Andrew gathered and switched play left, passed to Duncan who pulled in their last defender, and Gregor collected the pass to run in from 75 metres. Then one final flourish with an attack which started on halfway from a scrum, Charlie got good ball away, leading to Duncan making ground deep into Hawks' 22. Another scrum, with Jai, Euan and Finlay shoring up the scrum now after some earlier wobbles, allowing clean ball through the hands, almost a cabon copy of Kian's earlier try, but this time with Finlee taking Kian's offload to score.
Full Time: Dunfermline 14 - 22 Glasgow Hawks

We played a third period to give gametime to Hawks' massive travelling squad (about 30 players!). Tries from Kian and Matt F were matched by two scores from Hawks.
Development Period: Dunfermline 7 - 6 Glasgow Hawks

Well done to Hawks for continuing their own unbeaten run in the conference (and ending ours!), a good spirited bunch of lads who we'll look forward to playing later in the season. These high quality games are invaluable for experience and development, and our boys who took part today will be better for the experience.