After a summer of rebuild following the disappointing end to last season’s campaign there was a sense of anticipation ahead of Saturday’s league opener against familiar foe, Fraserburgh RFC.

The game marked not only the start of a new chapter but the end of another as Fullback Johnny Brophy pulled on the Dyce shirt for one final time ahead of his move to his homeland of New Zealand. Brophy, on his final appearance for the club, captained a new look Dyce side with no fewer than three debutants as well as some returning old faces allowing for the home side to have a full complement of replacements.

This fixture had become somewhat of a fiery affair in recent years, but Dyce were determined to avoid another dogfight as they took control of possession from the off. Working through some early initial phases, Dyce’s first opportunity arose on the five minute mark after an infringement at the breakdown provided the chance for Dyce to kick at the posts. Duncan Scott’s kick sailing just wide of the mark on this occasion. Dyce would however be on the scoreboard minutes later when the forward pack won one against the head allowing Jonny Clipston to pick and go from the base of the scrum. A series of intricate passes between Clipston and Stuart Cluness followed before Cluness picked up a pocket of space to find the oncoming support from Gregg Jack to score the first points of the day. Scott adding the extras.

From the restart, Dyce immediately got back to work, progressing up the field with some strong carries from the second row pairing of Lliam Williams and Jack Leyton-Smith. A Fraserburgh turnover deep in their 22 provided the chance for the Broch to exit but the resulting clearance kick did not find touch and instead gathered by Jonny Flett, who opted for a kick chase, burning the Fraserburgh defender for pace and crossing the line for a debut try.

The fast start had got Dyce in the mood. Leyton Smith gathered from the restart before offloading to Jonny Clipston who proceeded to break through two tackles, exchange a one-two with Jack before running the ball in from distance for Dyce’s third try of the day. Scott scoring the conversion.

The pressure was relentless and with Fraserburgh camped inside their own 22 they tried to work an opening to get themselves up the pitch but the Dyce defence was resolute as they looked to recover the ball and go in hunt of an early bonus point try.

Dyce’s determination was rewarded before the half hour mark with a team effort try which was the pick of the day. A solid scrum allowed for Sean Broadley to create a nuisance, winning the hook from the Fraserburgh put in and securing possession for Dyce. From there the ball was played out to Stuart Cluness who spread the ball to Fabio Rossetti who in turn popped the ball to the overlapping Duncan Scott to run in his first try of the afternoon before converting the same himself. A move straight from the training ground which Coach Clipston will no doubt be proud of.

Fraserburgh looked for a way back into the game and finally started to put together some phases of their own. Having won a scrum just inside the Dyce half, they began spreading the ball across the line. However, Duncan Scott had other ideas. Spotting an opportunity for a brace, he rushed out of the line, intercepted a pass and sprinted in from his own half to score a brilliant second try. Scott’s conversion was good to bring the score to 33-0.

As the half drew to a close the pace of the game began to slow and this suited the Broch who started to have some heavy carries working their way up to the Dyce 5 metre line. From there the Fraserburgh forwards lined up a series of pick and go’s to cross over the whitewash for the first time of the afternoon. The conversion unsuccessful.

Half Time: Dyce RFC 33:5 Fraserburgh RFC

Dyce were not as quick out the traps in the second half and the Broch looked to build on their opening try from before half time. However, despite this, it was the home side that did extend their lead. Brophy, collected a high ball from his full back position before storming into the Fraserburgh half. Two phases later and the ball had worked its way into Graeme Lowe who took a strong carry before offloading to Alan Simpson who drove the ball over from 5 metres out. A real forwards’ "ball up the jumper" try.

With legs beginning to tire, Dyce began to yield changes from the bench. With this Fraserburgh once again started to enjoy some more possession of the ball and the game began to even out. Gaps began to appear in the Dyce defensive line and it wasn’t long before Fraserburgh took advantage of one of these gaps to add their second try of the day. The conversion once again unsuccessful.

Thomas Shannon making his debut from the bench thought he had scored his first try for the club after showing some blistering pace only for the referee to pull play back. However, he would not have to wait for long to add his name to the scoresheet. With the game drawing to a close and tiring legs on both sides, Dyce worked the ball out to the wing for Shannon to show off his speed once again and score under the posts. With the clock going red, it was scripted for there to be only one player to take the conversion and Brophy dispatched the kick from under the posts to score his final points of a memorable Dyce career.

Full Time: Dyce RFC 52:10 Fraserburgh RFC

A five point victory sets the tone for Dyce who sit top of the league, albeit without any other fixtures played within the league.