Dunfermline 2nd XV 55 - 10 Leith 2nd XV

Match Report: George Easdon

An unseasonably sunny Saturday saw a strong Super 2s side cross the Forth to McKane Park, home of Dunfermline RFC. Despite some tough recent results, the boys were keen to build on some vastly improved performances and the early stages showed that this would indeed be the case.

Leith enjoyed the lion's share of both possession and territory in the opening quarter, with particularly bruising runs from prop Conor Kerr, centre Jon Derrin, and number 8 Mark Phillips putting the home side on the back foot. However, Dunfermline made their pace and size in the back line count, managing to notch a few scores through some sharp strike moves. Despite the initial setback, the Leith men kept their composure and put in an improved defensive effort, perfectly embodied by wing Peter Duncan putting his body on the line and coming away with a cracking black eye for his troubles.

Leith kept their heads up and continued to play some good rugby in the right areas of the park thanks to strong tactical kicking from flanker-come-fly half George Lees, but the lads in pink were still unable to convert and went in at half time scoreless.

Dunfermline kindly supplied a handful of subs after an injury crisis early in the second half and the new signings wasted no time in getting stuck into their ex-teammates. It wasn't long before Leith found themselves back in the Dunfermline half and finally got their reward as George Easdon flew over from centimetres out for a classic winger's finish which could well see Tommy Seymour relegated to the bench for future internationals! Perhaps unsurprisingly, prop Robert Stitt missed the ambitious drop-kicked conversion. Nevertheless, the comeback was on and the Leith pack took the opportunity to rumble up the park with renewed vigour, being held up over the line before getting another drive on and finally getting the ball down for a classic forward's try. After previously rinsing his teammate's poor kicking tekkers, karma struck as Easdon's conversion attempt wobbled painfully wide.

As the match concluded, fatigue saw the Leith defence open up for a few more breakaway tries, with the full time whistle soon blowing on a 55-10 loss for the Leith boys. Although the home side came away with a convincing win, the 2s are looking stronger by the week and with continued commitment it won't be long before the squad are toasting victories of their own.

Scorers:
Tries: George Easdon, Fifer Trialist
Man of the Match: Ruri Kemmet

Leith:
1 Robert Stitt (c), 2 Gio Calabrese, 3 Conor Kerr, 4 Sam Davies, 5 Stephen Baker, 6 Tony Kestner, 7 Ruri Kemmet, 8 Mark Phillips; 9 Will Speakman, 10 George Lees, 11 George Easdon, 12 Jon Derrin, 13 Justin Smith, 14 Peter Duncan, 15 Ian Young; 16 Johnny Coyle.