Too little too late for the 2s

Report by R.Stitt

So close for the 2’s in a game that saw 5 players make their Leith RFC debuts (4 of which were playing their first ever games of rugby). With Leith only having 11 players and Ross high having 16 it was decided that the teams would play 13 a side games with 3 20 minute periods. The match started off well, a good couple of runs into the defence from captain Robert stitt and debutant Jamie Drummond saw hands go out to the wing for debut back row turned winger Marcos to run in for his first try for the club. John Stumpf missed with the extras. From here unfortunately the lack of experience from the Leith squad showed with Ross High running in 3 tries back to back with one of the conversions scored.

1st period ended 5 – 17 to Ross High

After a quick chat and a couple of changes to each squad the 2nd 20 began. The Leith boys began to show a bit more aggression and made up for the mistakes in the first 20. A quick tap from a penalty allowed Stitt to make a run into the Ross High half. Quick hands then allowed Sam Hall to run through a gap and in for his First try for the Club, Stumpf added the extras. With the added space on the pitch from there only being 13 a side gaps began to show on the wings with wingers Marcos and George Easton both making the Ross High Defence work hard. Ross high showed their experience on the pitch and were denied on several occasions by some great try line defence from the home side with Ross high being held up on a number of occasions. Unfortunately match fitness began to toll on the home side began to show with the away side running in several unanswered tries to leave the 2nd 20 at 12 – 37 to Ross High.

In the 3rd 20 a change of captaincy had to be made. With Stitt leaving the field John Stumpf took over. With the Ross High legs tiring Leith fully believed that they could get back into this match and it immediately showed. Some quick work from the backs allowed Stumpf to run through and score, converting the extras. Two tries were scored by players whom Ross High had loaned the team, Stumpf converting both. Leith were now firing on all cylinders and giving Ross High as good as they gave. A dropped ball from Ross High allowed Marcos to kick through, although he beat his man an unlucky bounce for him meant he missed the try, luckily though Jamie Drummond continued to chance and picked up the bounce to score on his debut for the club also. Stumpf kicked the extras. Ross High came back scoring two quick tries to keep the score up for them. It seemed to continue to spur Leith on as they came back with Stumpf and Marcos both showing some good pace and hands to cross for their 2nd of the day with Stumpf converting both. Unfortunately, Ross high scored two late tries into the game and despite Leith’s best efforts a late knock on from Ross High signalled the end of the game.

Final Score ended Leith RFC 2’s 54 – Ross High 2’s 57

A match played in great spirits and it was felt had the ref decided to play a final 20 minutes that Leith would have had the second wind to go on and get the win.

A lot of people put their hand up for MOTM today and with so many debutants was touch to make a decision, John Stumpf read the game well and helped with a massive 24 points on the day. Jamie

Drummond with one try and some hard hitting tackles helped repel the Ross High team. Back row turned winger Marcos also put his hand up with some darting runs and two tries on his debut. However, man of the match goes to prop Neil Holman who despite not playing for an extended period of time and being adamant he would only play 10 minutes (played 50) showed a lot of the younger players how it should be done on the pitch with some great runs with the ball and some great tackling.