The powerful Whitecraigs forwards served notice of their intentions early on by driving the Dunfermline forwards off the first two scrums. However they did not have everything their own way in the first half hour as Dunfermline proved to be a constant threat with their skilful and pacey backs. The visitors looked as if their open play may trouble Whitecraigs defence. The home side however opened the scoring with a forward drive from a scrum close in and Captain Ian Laidlaw crashed over the line.
Dunfermline replied with a Gregor McNeish penalty and then Whitecraigs scored again through Ross MacDonald with Ryan Moffat adding the extra points. Again Dunfermline replied with a further McNeish penalty but had a man yellow carded for not rolling away at a ruck. Whitecraigs at this point looked like they would take advantage of the number mismatch but the home team lost a player with a red card. Captain Laidlaw given his marching orders after illegal use of the boot.
Both sides were down to fourteen men and the game was finely balanced at 12-6. The next score would be hugely influential in the game and it was the Whitecraigs stand- off Ally Stevenson who made the breakthrough and the home side had a half time lead of 19-6.
The heavens opened at half time and although Whitecraigs were a man light they dominated the forward exchanges and gave their backs a platform to attack the visitors. Repeated forward drives put the Dunfermline side under continual pressure. Ryan Moffat converted a penalty and scrum half Grant McGibbon crossed the line to give the home side a 29-6 lead. Dunfermline worked hard to try and reduce the leeway but promising attacks broke down at crucial moments allowing the home side some respite.
Further Whitecraigs tries followed by Jamie Howarth, Phil Nicol, Ryan Moffat and Ally Stevenson and the final score was 51-6 to the home team.
A disappointing result for the young Dunfermline sides who will have a further hard test when they play hosts to GHA at McKane Park on Saturday 1st Sept KO 3.00pm