Men's 1st XV - Dalziel
Oban Lorne travelled to Dalziel with confidence after their big win last week, but they faced a Dalziel side eager to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Kilmarnock. Despite being depleted, with only 18 players due to unavailability and illness, Oban remained focused, bringing a squad that had trained together and understood the task ahead.
Dalziel began the match with intensity, eager to make amends for their previous defeat. They hit hard and kept their defence well-organised, kicking strategically into space on the wide pitch. Oban gained early yards through a few well-worked phases, earning a penalty 15 metres in front of the posts, which Fergus Macintyre calmly slotted to put Oban ahead 3-0.
Dalziel responded quickly, pinning Oban back and patiently working through several phases off their scrum-half. Their pressure eventually paid off as they ground down Oban’s defence to score their first try, though the conversion was missed, making it 5-3.
Oban had a clear edge in the scrum, but Dalziel’s efficiency in the lineout caused frustration for the visitors, with a few key steals that halted Oban’s momentum. Despite the defensive pressure, Oban managed to win another penalty, with Macintyre stepping up again to reclaim the lead at 5-6.
Upping the pace, Oban took a quick tap on halfway and spread the ball wide, reversing play in Dalziel’s 22 with swift passing from the forwards. Captain of the day, Craig Wright, finished the move in the corner, extending Oban’s lead to 11-5.
Dalziel fought back with strong running and capitalised on some ill-discipline from Oban, moving up the field to score another forwards’ try under the posts. With the conversion added, Dalziel regained the lead at 12-11.
When Oban linked up in attack, they looked dangerous, but Dalziel’s dogged defence kept stopping their momentum. Eventually, Oban’s pressure paid off, earning a scrum penalty on Dalziel’s 5-metre line. A quick tap and go saw Lorne MacLachlan cross the line, and Macintyre added the conversion to make it 12-18.
Dalziel's kicking game kept Oban on the back foot, and they took advantage to score another forwards’ try near the posts, converting it to go ahead 19-18. Oban responded with their best try of the game just before half-time. Brilliant link-up play between the forwards and backs created an overlap, and Fergus Taylor touched down in the corner. With the half-time whistle, Oban led 19-23.
The second half began similarly to the first, with Dalziel determined to make ground, aided by some ill-discipline from Oban. Dalziel slotted a penalty to close the gap to 22-23. As tensions rose, the referee had to step in to calm things down, with both teams showing increasing aggression.
Oban found a breakthrough after a chip over Dalziel’s defence led to a fortunate bounce, and Macintyre pounced to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 22-28 in Oban’s favour.
Dalziel, however, weren’t done, and they powered through Oban’s defence with another try, which they converted to make it 29-28.
Oban retaliated, stringing together another structured attack that saw Craig Wright cross the line for his second try of the game, putting Oban back in front at 29-33.
Oban looked to have gained control, but Dalziel’s experience showed. They forced a turnover and gained ground with an impressive 50-22 kick. A lapse in Oban’s defence allowed Dalziel’s scrum-half to exploit a gap at the ruck, breaking through and beating the last defender to score under the posts. Dalziel’s scrum-half, was later named Oban’s Player of the Match. They added the conversion to make it 36-33.
In the final 10 minutes, Oban dominated possession but struggled to break down Dalziel’s organised defence. Dalziel capitalised on this with another attacking surge, stretching Oban’s defence and scoring a well-worked team try under the posts. The conversion took the score to 43-33 with less than five minutes remaining.
Oban showed grit and determination in the closing stages, refusing to give up. Lorne MacLachlan scored in the corner, and Macintyre converted to bring the score to 43-40, but time ran out for the visitors as the final whistle blew.
It was a hard-fought match with no lack of effort from Oban Lorne, but they faced a determined and well-organised Dalziel side. The depleted squad felt the lack of fresh legs in the later stages, and Oban will look to ensure they travel with a full squad in future fixtures.
