However Craig Stewart and Fraser Cowe stepped into the breach and assisted admirably in the defeat of a spirited University side. Dunfermline mounted early pressure and had most of the play but the University defended well, the visitors also lacked penetration with indifferent handling. Unexpectedly Dunfermline found themselves three points adrift to a penalty from a ruck offence. Dunfermline responded with a good run from Scott Swankie that resulted in a line out 15 metres out. Winning the ball the visitors created a series of rucks retaining possession for Gregor McNeish to cross kick to the waiting Josh Harris to score near the posts. McNeish converted. The University fought back and worked their way close to the Dunfermline line winning a 5-metre scrum. With the Dunfermline pack caught unawares by an eight-man drive, the ball sprung loose to the University’s open side wing forward who plunged over, for an unconverted try. Dunfermline worked hard to narrow the margin but the University backs cut loose on half way resulting in the outside centre scoring wide out, too far out for the conversion to be successful.

Dunfermline opened the second half brightly and a mazy run from Swankie took play deep into University territory but was unrewarded. Shortly after he made a further break to cross for a try converted by the reliable McNeish, to take the lead by a single point. Good driving play by the visiting forwards had the University on their heels causing them to concede a penalty which McNeish pushed just wide. Undaunted Dunfermline continued to press and a rare channel one ball at the scrum gave Rhys Davies the chance to break on half way the ball passed to Colin Eadie and Warren Daley who to fended off desperate tackling before handing on to Greg Valentine to score. McNeish added the two points. As both sides tired, play became a little scrappy in midfield with the University gaining a penalty on 22 metres converted by the university stand off to complete the scoring.

Saturday Dunfermline travel to Ellon for a first round tie in the Caledonia Regional Shield.