'It's all about building towards getting promotion next year' - Dalziel Rugby Club boss Graham Calder's rallying cry after beating Strathaven

Dalziel Rugby Club’s penultimate Tennent’s West Division 2 league game of the 2021-22 campaign ended in a 28-20 home win over third placed Strathaven.
Graham Calder is pictured scoring a try against Clydebank earlier this season (Pic Elaine Neilson)Graham Calder is pictured scoring a try against Clydebank earlier this season (Pic Elaine Neilson)
Graham Calder is pictured scoring a try against Clydebank earlier this season (Pic Elaine Neilson)

Yet Saturday’s success – which moves the Motherwell team onto 35 points from 15 fixtures – didn’t start well as Strathaven scored a converted try to go 7-0 up early on.

But Dalziel hit back to level with a Darren Moon try being converted by Moon himself.

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A successful Strathaven penalty put the visitors 10-7 in front before a Callum Croughan try – unconverted – made it 12-10 for Dalziel.

The hosts gained a stranglehold on the contest just before half-time with Fraser McKenzie’s try being converted by player/head coach Graham Calder, on kicking duties and moving from scrum half to stand off after Moon went off injured.

Dalziel’s 19-10 lead at half-time impressed boss Calder, who told GlasgowWorld Sport: “We showed great character in adversity. We were disappointed to lose an early try but I was delighted in how we responded.

"We were confident even when we lost the early try because we knew we had a game plan to win the game.

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"Our results have been improving and it’s all about building towards gaining promotion next year.”

Three successful penalties kicked by Calder then put Dalziel 28-10 up in the second half, before Strathaven scored two late tries.

Dalziel have no league game this weekend while league rivals Uddingston – second bottom on 15 points after 13 games – visit Helensburgh on Saturday with kick-off at 3pm.

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