Rugby: Dunfermline's first XV earn North Berwick National Four win

DUNFERMLINE Rugby Club's senior men's first XV returned to winning ways with an emphatic victory over North Berwick on Saturday.

Gavin Emerson's team ran in six first half tries, and a further five in the second period, to claim another bonus-point victory to sit second in the National League Division Four standings.

They were narrowly beaten by a four-point margin at home to leaders Ardrossan Academicals, who lost at the weekend to third-placed Strathmore, in their last outing, but still claimed two losing bonus points.

Head coach Emerson said that he would pay their opponents, who twice defeated them last season, respect despite their struggles so far this campaign.

The East Lothian team have twice had fixtures postponed due to insufficient players, sit bottom of the standings, and headed to McKane Park on the back of an 83-0 loss at Linlithgow.

Things didn't get any easier for them in West Fife as, even with Emerson contemplating freshening up his squad, Dunfermline proved to be too good.

In-form Dunfermline were too good for North Berwick on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

They raced into a 26-0 lead at McKane Park before North Berwick crossed the whitewash for a converted score, but three more scores went the way of the hosts, who led 43-7 at the interval.

They continued to dominate, and added 35 unanswered points to their tally, wrapping up a convincing win that leaves them four points behind Ardrossan.

Dunfermline's next league match is scheduled for November 9, when they travel to Strathmore, who have won all six of their games played so far - two less than Emerson's side - to sit one point behind them.

Victory at McKane Park leaves Dunfermline second in the table. (Image: David Wardle.)

Meanwhile, Dunfermline's senior men's second XV were also in action on Saturday, and claimed their own convincing success.

They welcomed Panmure to McKane, in Caledonia Midlands Region League, Division Three, and eased their way to a 75-15 victory, bouncing back from a loss at Waid Academy in their previous fixture.

That leaves them fourth in the table, with 22 points from eight matches, and eight adrift of leaders Kirkcaldy second XV, where they travel to in their next league fixture on November 23.