HILLFOOTS RFC were defeated at the weekend, ending their winning run in their last league game of the year.

‘Foots travelled to Dunfermline with both teams on a winning streak. Dunfermline had won their last two while the Wee County side were looking to make it five in a row.

With some heavy rainfall prior to kick off, the heavy surface and wet conditions were sure to play a part. The more dominant ‘Foots pack started the game on the front foot with some strong carries from Ross McNeil and Paul Slade resulting in good territory and possession.

Unfortunately, a combination a good defence and the last pass just not sticking resulted in no scoring in the first fifteen minutes.

The deadlock was eventually broken just before the 20 minute mark by the home side. The full back fielded a kick down field and ran back at the ‘Foots defence. Capitalising on having the extra men in attack, simple hands resulted in the winger being put in for the score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Again, the visitors dominated possession for the next 10 minutes but were unable to make the pressure pay in terms of points. The home side got the next points through a penalty kick from their inside centre.

With the half coming to an end, the home side scored their second of the match, in very similar fashion to their first. Again, the conversion was missed.

‘Foots did have the last say of the half through a penalty kick of their own. After sustained pressure in the scrum, a penalty was awarded to the visitors in the front of the posts. Gregor Manson slotted the kick to bring the half to a close with the score at 13-3.

It wasn’t long before ‘Foots did get their first score of the match through prop Paul Slade. Some great forward carries close to the line sucked in the home defence and the ball was moved wide. Despite their best efforts, the defenders couldn’t stop Slade from bulldozing his way over the line in the corner.

Manson added the extras with the difficult conversion from the touchline to put the away side well and truly back in the game.

Not long after, Dunfermline extended their lead, and again it was through the boot of their inside centre. A penalty in front of the posts was easily kicked to give the home side a six-point buffer.

Despite their best efforts, time ran out for the visitors with no further score added by either team and the game came to a close with the score 16-10 in favour of Dunfermline which kept them in second place in the league.

Hillfoots can find themselves a little unlucky with the score line having dominated much of the game.

Just small individual errors resulted in scores against the run of play for Dunfermline which ultimately resulted in their win.

Hillfoots will now have a break from matches and training until the new year with the both the first and second XVs in action on January 8.