Edinburgh Northern 2XV 24 - 12 Leith 2XV

Match report by Doug Watters.

In the last pre-season outing ahead of the new season getting underway, Leith made the short journey to Inverleith Park to take on an Edinburgh Northern side who they will compete against in this year's Tennent's East Reserve League 2. It's a big year for the 2nd XV with their elevation from the East Region Development league into the league system proper, and Saturday's game would prove a great test against league contemporaries.

A host of late summer holidays and some pre-kick off readjustments due to guys on call did not detract from what was a strong side fielded for the 2s, and led by standoff George Lees, and directed around the park well by scrum half David Somerville, they began the brighter in the lunchtime sunshine. While Northern shaded the early territory, some excellent defence grew into long phases of possession for the Leithers who were keeping the ball alive in promising fashion with some slick back play and offloading through the middle from the pack. A penalty won 30 metres out saw the (somewhat controversial on the sideline) decision to go for goal, but Somerville pulled the kick just wide. Leith were carrying well, particularly in the pack and led by Matt Allison, but were unfortunate with injuries with debutant flanker Euan Humphreys pulling up with a tight hamstring, Matt Rea leaving the field with a shoulder injury, before the skipper Lees was forced to leave the field following a heavy collision with an ankle complaint.

Despite the reconfiguration, particularly in the backs - where Will Tuft moved into the 10 position with back rowers Jamie Drummond and David Meadows (delighting in) filling the centre positions - Leith continued to dominate possession, and following a sharp blind side movement were unlucky not to score as wing Peter Duncan was bundled into touch 10 metres out, having burst onto a smart offload. Leith would win the lineout however, and remain camped in the Northern 22 for the remaining 5-10 minutes of the half. Following an infringement from the hosts, leith tapped the penalty and a series of forward thrusts saw Michele Crolla adjudged to been held up (although this reporter stood behind the goal line saw the ball on the turf!). Leith were not deterred however and after the forwards drove the scrum and then committed defenders with a series of pick and goes near the line, the ball was shipped wide through the (spicy) centres to fullback Andy Barr who drew the last defender and put the supporting Tuft in near the corner. Somerville with the conversion for a 7-0 half time lead.

The second half saw our hosts regain their composure and play their way back into the game with some nice rugby. Following the concession of two Northern tries, aided by the introduction of a couple of senior players, Leith did give themselves hope with the try of the game as following a great ruck steal, second row Allison broke several tackles to race 80 metres to score. Northern would win the wrestle in the remaining minutes to run out 24-12 victors, and we wish them well for the league season (in all games bar those vs Leith!) ahead.

Man of the Match for Leith was Matt Allison, but there were a host of excellent performances, boding well for the both the 2nd and 1st XV seasons ahead.

Leith 2s get their league campaign underway next Saturday, with a 3pm KO at Inverleith RFC.

*Brevity of second half reflections a result of this reporter having to leave the game at half-time. Apologies in particular to any Northern readers!