Seaside pollution is thankfully not an issue at Porty Beach! 

Broughton, fresh from their victory away to Hawick Linden last Sunday, notched up their 7th try bonus point of the season with a 29-3 win at seaside strugglers Portobello on Saturday.

Mark Brown continued at Hooker, despite missing training due to an outbreak of Impetigo (and not because the Gers were on the telly on Thursday) and it was a welcome back to the wing to Andy Dalgleish, our very own Charlie Dimmock who has been busy trimming bushes and getting long roots out of the way of late.

The match was played in windy conditions at Cavalry Park and it was the hosts who opted to make us of the wind in the first half, but it was Broughton who took the game to the Porty boys and were rewarded with an early score when a line out was won 10 metres out from the home try line and was secured at the back of the maul by Dominic Cox who fell over the line.  The lead was double not long after when some inventive back play was rewarded when Tourist of the Year, Hamish Martineau, dive into the corner for a score despite the close attentions of the home defence.

This spurred the home side into action and it wasn't long before their patience was rewarded.  The Broughton defence was caught off-side and Porty stalwart (mind you, that line could be used about many of the Porty starting 15) Billy Napier converted the penalty from between the uprights.

Portobello's No.8, Sean Hollywood continued to excel at the back of the scrums and rucks but there was to be no 'Hooray for Hollywood' as the half Liberian/Irish playmaker was devoid of support on many occasions and several good plays came to nothing for the home side.

Broughton's superiority started to show and a delightful set of hands, reminiscent of last week's try against Linden, saw captain Melvin Hart go over for his 5th try of the season. 

Playing with the wind behind your back should prove to be easier for those of a kicking persuasion.  Unfortunately both sides were guilty of over-cooking the kicks and vital yards were lost on either side of the half as both teams strived for territorial advantage.

Daniel Arrandale capped off a fine personal performance with a cleverly worked try in the corner deep into the 2nd half.  The ball made it's way to the back of a scrum 20 metres out and the scrum half showed tremendous vision to dart behind his opposite number and despite being tackle, but not held, he regain the ball and his composure to dive over for the all important 4th try to earn the bonus point (is this a better match report Dan?)

The result was never in doubt beyond this stage, but still Portobello refuse to give up and had several minutes of sustained possession in the Broughton red-zone but couldn't capitalise on this.

The aforementioned Andy Dalgleish, he of Mystery Woman status (let me explain, he is not a mystery woman, he had a lady friend watching him!) capped off the day's try scoring with an easy run in after quick thinking by Duncan Nicolson  who took a quick tap penalty following another Porty indiscretion and the ball was shipped out to Andy who had one of the easiest try scoring opportunities he is likely to have. 

Stand off Paul Hamer had an indifferent day at the office in the kicking stakes with just the 2 conversions on what was a difficult day for kickers.

Final Score at Cavalry Park - Portobello 3 - 29 Broughton