Men's 1st XV - Dalziel
Player of the Match: James Divers
Oban Lorne produced a dominant second-half display at Glencruitten to earn a convincing 52–22 win over Dalziel.
The visitors made the brighter start, capitalising on a loose Oban lineout to score the opening try. Oban struggled to find their footing in the early stages, with scrappy play and a series of penalties in their own half allowing Dalziel to build pressure. The visitors crossed again through their forwards after several patient phases, while a yellow card to Connor Ferris compounded Oban’s slow start. 0-10.
Captain Lorne Sinclair sparked Oban into life, peeling off a powerful driving maul to score near the posts, converted by George Ritchie to make it 7-10. Moments later, Craig Wright produced a brilliant solo try, stepping two or three defenders from inside his own half and racing clear to score while Oban were still down to 14 men. 12-10.
Dalziel replied before the break with another close-range effort from their forwards, giving them a narrow 12-15 lead at half time. It was a close contest, with Oban knowing they had plenty more to give if they could tidy up their discipline and decision-making.
Oban came out with renewed energy, driven by strong carries from the MacLachlan brothers, Calum and Lorne. James Divers then provided the spark the home side needed with a superb chip-and-chase try, before Lorne MacLachlan finished off a patient spell of attacking play under the posts. 26-15.
Some smart kicking from Finlay Carmichael kept Oban in the right areas of the pitch, but a lapse in defensive shape allowed Dalziel to hit back with a well-worked team try, narrowing the gap to 26-22.
The next few minutes proved decisive. A huge tackle from Angus Macleod dislodged the ball, and from the resulting possession Oban built pressure and moved the ball wide for James Divers to grab his second try. The momentum had shifted firmly in Oban’s favour.
Divers soon completed his hat-trick after a brilliant passage of play. Breaking from inside his own half, he linked up perfectly with Cameron Crowe in a slick 2-on-1 move before diving over. 40-22.
There was still time for Sean Gordon to get on the scoresheet, collecting a loose ball at halfway and showing remarkable pace for a second row to score in the corner.
Dalziel pushed hard in the closing stages, spending nearly ten minutes camped near the Oban line, but the home defence stood firm. With the final play, George Ritchie hacked the ball upfield, and Craig Wright gathered and sprinted in under the posts to round off the scoring at 52-22.
A much-improved performance from Oban Lorne, who will take confidence from their attack and workrate but know there’s still room to tighten up their defensive shape and discipline after a couple of yellow card were shown during the match.
Player of the Match went to James Divers for his outstanding all-round display and hat-trick of tries. A special mention also goes to Vasil Borisov, who played his final match for Oban after 11 years with the club. Vasil recently retired from international rugby after earning 34 caps for Bulgaria – a tremendous achievement.
Oban Lorne are back at Glencruitten next week for a National Shield clash with Wigtownshire on Saturday 1st November, aiming to carry their momentum forward.
