If ”winning ugly” is the positive buzzphrase in rugby at present then ”unacceptable” is its negative relation.
Dundee HSFP spent most of the first month of the rugby season winning ugly until they lost to Stirling County last week, in a performance that proved predictably ”unacceptable” to their coaching team.
Both terms are largely meaningless, however. There’s surely no such thing as an ugly win to the coach, player or supporter, and describing any loss as ”unacceptable” means nothing unless there is a reaction like Dundee’s 48-20 crushing of Edinburgh Accies on Saturday.
It wasn’t perfect, and not entirely without discomfort especially when Accies’ fleet-footed open side James Taggart was running free in the second half but it was such a decisive bounce-back in attitude and application from Bridgehaugh that no one who saw both games could possibly be dissatisfied.
”We asked for workrate, we asked for commitment and for them to fight for each other,” said director of coaching Ian Rankin. ”Last week was unacceptable, but all the talk meant nothing unless they responded.”
They did so with six tries, five from backs, with it particularly noticeable that new men Cameron Wyper and Robbie Lavery have really started to settle into their new environment. Wyper scored a brilliant solo try based on elusiveness, balance and pace while Lavery was a revelation in attack and defence.
The Australian is not imposing physically, but he forcefully manhandled veteran Accies lock Greg Campbell in one collision, and one hit in midfield sprung the ball for Jamie Urquhart to sprint away untouched for his second try.
Rankin added: ”Robbie’s defence was exceptional and that try from Cam is what we’ve been waiting for from him.”
Jack Steel, a late call-up for Harry Duthie, scored a try and succeeded with all but one of nine attempts at goal to fulfil the other rugby coaching cliche of the moment of ”keeping the scoreboard ticking over”.
Dundee move clear in second place in RBS Premier One but the next two weeks may define their season, with third-place Gala at Netherdale next week and unbeaten leaders Melrose at Mayfield the following week.
An added interest next week is that Gala’s win over Boroughmuir won them the Bill McLaren Shield, which as holders they must defend when Dundee come calling on Saturday.