Leith 2nd XV 45 - 25 Queensferry RFC

Open Day started with blue skies and a firm track for what promised to be a testing encounter to open the pre-season for Leith 2s, as they welcomed Queensferry 1s to Academy Park. The two sides will compete in the same East Region reserve league (at least at the time of going to press...) this season, and so the game represented a chance for both teams to feel one another out ahead of competitive battle later this term.

Leith made a strong start with the returning Craig Smith, pulling the strings in midfield and opening up a gap for full back Steven Eadie to canter over the game's first try, converted by Richard Hastings, who appeared to be adjusting well to the stand-off position. Leith scored their second at the 10-minute mark, with Smith again providing the scoring pass for centre Ross Marwick to break through several tackles to go under the posts. Hastings converted for a 14-0 lead. The Open Day crowd, (including a lot of nervous looking 1st XV players by this point) didn't have to wait long for the third score either as Smith spotted a blitzing 'Ferry defensive pattern and chipped over the onrushing defence, gathered the (perfect) bounce and went under the posts, to give Hastings another easy conversion for 21-0 inside the opening quarter.

Queensferry regained some territory following this opening onslaught with some good kicking from their stand-off, and after exerting some pressure near the Leith try line, reacted the quicker to a penalty award, their tight-head prop taking a quick tap and crashing over for a first (unconverted) score for the visitors. Leith bounced back quickly however, and after a fantastic 50-metre break from scrum-half Andrew Paterson, second row Ben Place rolled back the years to not only be on Pat's shoulder, but take the offload, twist some blood in the retreating defence with some nifty footwork, before putting openside flanker Greg Hancock under the posts for a 28-5 lead. Top stuff! Craig Smith threw a trade-mark dummy inside his own 22 late on in the half and went under the sticks from 80-metres, stepping the fullback and a 35-5 half-time lead for Leith.

Queensferry would have the better of the second half, with both teams making several changes, and the influence of a couple of Lasswade substitutes providing the impetus for their running in 4 unconverted scores, punctuated by 2 excellent further tries from the home side. Around the 50-minute mark returning winger Ross Kilgour capitalised on a break from Smith and stood up his opposing winger with very little space on the outside to explode past and over the line to score in the corner, while the game's final score saw birthday boy Derek Greenan take an offload from Craig Smith who was downed near the line, to go over for a celebratory try. Rumours he was in support and praying for Craig to get tackled have indeed been confirmed!

Final score 45-25, and all in a great run-out for the team, with many players putting their hands up for the season ahead, as well as several returning players reinvigorating the competition for places, and a debut for second row Sam Davies. There were several contenders for man of the match, with the official award going to lock Ben Place who had an outstanding game. Many thanks for Queenferry for providing the opposition and we wish them well for the season ahead (except for games with Leith) - a great club and one we've enjoyed good relations with over the last few years.

Next up, the 2s will team up with the 1s for a squad visit to Kilmarnock RFC on Saturday 20th August, before welcoming Forrester FP to Academy Park for a 2nd XV fixture on Saturday August 27th, 2pm KO.