Match report Kirkcaldy v Dundee Valkyries 2nd xv 03/09/23
Venue Beveridge Park Kirkcaldy
Weather Sunny and breezy
Dundee Valkyries took the field for their second league game of the season at Beveridge Park home of local rivals Kirkcaldy. Kirkcaldy had stepped down from regional 1 and a hard-fought game was anticipated. A much-changed Valkyries side took the pitch showing numerous changes (12 in total) from the first league game v Dunfermline due to injury, unavailability and first team players playing at home v Kelso. Two newcomers were set to make their debut for the Valkyries, Emma Lumsden from Dundee University at scrum half and Jenny Ferguson off the bench for her first ever game.
A lack lustre warm up from the Valkyries did not bode well but the management team of Kerr, Rob and Gabbie were to be exhilarated by what turned out to be one of the best seconds xv performances.
The Valkyries set off like a train and great attack from both forwards and backs soon set the tone. Nik, Steph L, Julie and Kirsten made early inroads, and all were involved in setting up a position to allow Kirsty McKay to score the first 5 pointer of the game, Kirkcaldy 0 Valkyries 5
This woke an experienced Kirkcaldy side up and super run by their 10 Sanft (related to current men’s coach Quinton Sanft perhaps) saw a great flat pass send the 12 through under the posts. This was to be a familiar site in this game. Score all square. 5-5.
More pressure from Valkyries forwards and backs in attack with Emma and Steph linking well with Julie and both Kirsty F and Kirsten running direct and hard saw Dundee camped inside the Kirkcaldy 22 through the 20-minute mark. It also led to the first yellow card to the Kirkcaldy scrumhalf from the ref who was being very strict on the new tackle law. Unfortunately, Dundee did not take heed.
The first water break over and Nik off the pitch to be replaced by Aimee saw another high tackle penalised. The Kirkcaldy 10 linked with their hooker to put the 14 away to score in the corner. Tracy was yellow carded in trying to stop the try being scored. Kirkcaldy 10 Valkyries 5
The Valkyries momentum had stalled due to the water break and from the kick off the Kirkcaldy 12 ran untouched through a static defence to score an unconverted ty and suddenly Kirkcaldy were 15-5 ahead.
The Valkyries suddenly woke up again and more great play from Steph L driving off a scrum linked with the backs to see Kirsty break through deep into the opposition 22 Quick ball saw forwards take on and multiple drives saw Gemma Short crash over. K 15 V 10. However, this spurred Kirkcaldy, and they had the last word when their 10 touched down for the bonus point try. K20 -V10 At half time .

Discipline & better defence were the watch words at halftime from Kerr plus a positional switch as Steph L went into the backs to replace the concussed Kirsty and J jenny on for her first ever game having only picked up a rugby ball in early august. How ever Kirkcaldy sprung into action and were first on the board with the number 12 Alanna brown getting her hat trick try which was converted K27 V10 . Kirkcaldy were in danger of going out of reach, but the Valkyries attack came back into the game again. Unlike the first half the Valkyries kept the kick-off and marched up the pitch when solid forward driving saw Gemma Watson cross the whitewash near the posts. K27 V15.
The conversion attempt by Julie endangered the ankles of the Kirkcaldy players like an Exocet missile rather than the posts. Sorry Julie ?
Again, Valkyries pressed and The continuity play that had been a feature saw Aimee dot down from 2yards, Kirsten converted and on approximately 57 minute the score was K27 V 22. As the game got stretched and tiredness became a factor it was suddenly raining tries Kirkcaldy responded with who else but there number 12 who after scrum possession and attack repulsed left and right danced through a gap to score a fourth try . K32 V22
A great kick chase from the kick off saw Emma steal possession and continued pressure saw a Valkyries Scrum feed send Gemma W off the base and Blair Copland score her first ever try for the Valkyries. Kirsten Converted after having had a breathing break and the Valkyries were within 3 K32 V 29 with 15 minutes left.
The Valkyries were on top and searching for the victory, then fate in the shape of the referee intervened. He had had a consistently good game, severe on high tackles for both sides, 2 x yellow card for each side. He had penalised Kirkcaldy after the Kick off for a high tackle then played advantage then penalised Valkyries for side entry. Rather than go back to the first infringement Kirkcaldy were awarded the penalty and their stand-off broke and fed the 12 who scored try number 5 for her and Kirkcaldy’s seventh. K37 v29. A late penalty try (High Tackle) saw the home side extend out of sight K44 V29
Not to be out done and similar to the end of the game v Dunfermline the Valkyries were not finished. By this point Aimee had left the pitch concussed and bloody having had her face meet Steph Lindsay’s Knee Ouch!! Great forward drives and then good passing saw the Valkyries have the last word as Kirsten scored wide out. Final Score Kirkcaldy 44 Valkyries 34
What a game, all 17 Valkyries can be proud of what was an epic performance. Still things to build on in defence with tackle height, support in attack and organisation but fix these and things are looking good. getting numbers at training an available on Sundays will be key so the collective must start working.
Ps Players of the match Back Emma Lumsden, Forward and Opposition Steph Lindsay (no8 and centre)
Reporter Rob Lunn Team manager Dundee Valkyries 2nd XV