The opening score came from a scrum on half way won by the home side. Colin Eadie picked up at No 8 and quick ruck ball was moved to Josh Harris who fed inside to Graeme Lowe. Lowe scampered in from 25 metres. Gregor McNeish converted the difficult kick. Kilmarnock responded with a drive in the middle of the pitch and were rewarded with a penalty 30 metres out for a technical offence at the ruck. Kyle Johnston converted the three points. Dunfermline reacted well and a good forward drive led again by Colin Eadie and Tommy McColl saw the ball moved wide on the right to Josh Harris who crossed for the second try, Gregor McNeish added the two points. The home side looked as though they would dominate proceedings however on 15 minutes Greg Valentine was red carded for uncharacteristic violent play. Kilmarnock immediately took advantage of this loss and pushed Dunfermline off the scrum, at the resultant ruck Kilmarnock were awarded a penalty in a similar position to their first. Kyle Johnston successfully converted. Dunfermline’s worries were compounded with a yellow card for Warren Daly for a high tackle. Reduced to thirteen men Dunfermline fought hard to maintain their lead and a further 3 points resulted as Gregor McNeish kicked a penalty after Kilmarnock were penalised for not releasing in the tackle. Kilmarnock’s additional numbers however kept them in the game and as Dunfermline conceded a penalty in front of the posts, Kyle Johnston converted his third penalty.

The second half developed in to a stodgy affair with Kilmarnock striving to take advantage of short handed Dunfermline. Play began to get bogged down between the 22 metre lines as neither side could create gaps in the respective defences. Kilmarnock were first to break the deadlock with a chip trough from Kyle Johnston gathered by winger Chris Milligan to narrow the Dunfermline lead to three points. Dunfermline strove to re-impose themselves and several thrusts by their lively back division kept the visitors on the back foot. The final score came from a chip by Gregor McNeish, gathered by Martin Scade who made good ground before feeding McNeish to cross out wide on the left. The conversion failed.
This was a stout performance by the short handed home side and will no doubt help to boost confidence for successive games.

Next fixture Dunfermline V Musselburgh at McKane Park, Saturday 17th Sept KO 3.00pm