Leith 26 - 8 Bannockburn

Match Report by Nick Andrews

Bannockburn travelled into the capital on a warm Friday evening to mark the last weekend of the Edinburgh Fringe with a festive game of rugby. Much like the battle of Thermopylae, Bannockburn pitched up with an equivalent of 300 men and were faced with the 10,000 men from Leith Rugby (figures may not be accurate).

Coach Greenan had lit the beacons and called for aide. All of Leith Rugby Club answered. The last preseason game before competitive action, Kev looked to give all the boys some match time. The two gaffers agreed on four 20-minute periods and the game was set to go. A strong team was to start the game for Leith, however there was some positional changes for a few of the boys. Craig Allan, one of the stars from the previous week, retained his 13 jersey, Nick Andrews, as punishment for being great, was starting at scrum half and Fergal MacNamara found himself replacing Andrew Baxter, who was dropped after not being able to score 7 tries the previous week, in the 15 jersey.

The first period was a frustrating one for both teams. The conditions were basically perfect, perhaps a little too hot for me but alas. Leith struggled to find their structure and were finding it difficult to retain possession. Bannockburn were showing great intent to play some running rugby. Their centres were running some hard lines keeping Will Tuft and Craig Allan busy with some defensive work. The scrums were Leith’s all day. Bruce, Ivan and Ritchie commanded the scrums with their front row efforts. Before the lads knew it, the first 20 minutes were over. No scores from either side.

Coach Kev completely changed the team for the 2nd period, which proved to be a good decision as Leith scored almost immediately. Bannockburn had a scrum on their own 5m line and as soon as the ball was put into the scrum, Leith pounced. Much like England’s dominant performance over Ireland at the weekend, Leith dominated the scrum and pushed Bannockburn backwards until the ball popped out the back of the scrum and replacement scrum half James Fraser dived on it for the score! Great effort from James for the try, and a solid effort off the tee straight after. He did miss the conversion though. Ross Johnson laughing as he did so (because he was at a comedy show, not because he enjoys seeing his teammates fail where he excels). Leith 5 – 0.

Bannockburn responded straight away with some smart rugby. Leith’s discipline had been poor so far and it cost them straight after the kickoff. Leith conceded a silly penalty. Bannockburn opted to not play in the Barbarian spirit and opted for a kick at goal. Easy points. Leith 5-3. Shortly after, Leith found themselves deep in their own territory and cleared the ball from their 22 but failed to make touch. The Bannockburn winger caught the ball and chipped it over the rushing defence. The Leith full back was too far in field to play the ball and had to try and make a last gasp tackle as the Bannockburn player took his own kick and charged for the line. Unfortunately for Leith, as he was brought down, he was also able to place the ball over the line for the try. Conversion missed by Robert the Bruce (not his real name). Bannockburn 8-5.

The 2nd period finished 8-5 in Bannockburn’s favour and Leith swapped their whole team again. Credit to the lads from Bannockburn who were keeping the same team out for the whole 80. The backline for the 3rd period excited the crowd as it featured Andrew Baxter who had finally convinced Kev to give him “one more chance.” It didn’t take long for Leith to unlock the Bannockburn defence. From a Leith scrum, Shaun Guesford played the ball to Ben Wilkinson who threw a lovely delayed pass behind the centres to the blindside winger, Andrews, who raced through a gap before passing to Baxter. Baxter drew the full back and passed (yes reader, you read that right. He passed the ball, get over it!) to young winger Ruari Morrison who raced over for the try. A lovely scored. Conversion was made by Ben Wilkinson.

The next score was immediate. Andrews had not even made it back to his position before Bannockburn kicked off and it was taken by the Leith forward back. Baxter saw an opportunity and called for the ball and raced down the blindside. Once again, he drew the last defender before putting Ruari away for his second try. Conversion successful from Ben. Leith 19-8.

Leith were applying all sorts of pressure on Bannockburn. The fresh legs of Leith was proving to be decisive. Wilkinson was keeping the ball down in the Bannockburn 22m and it wasn’t long before Leith broke the defence once more. Baxter again seeing an opportunity called for the ball and was able to run a strong line into one defender, knock him aside, and slide through another two before going under the sticks for his 7th try of the pre-season. Conversion good by Ben. Leith 26-8. This was the score at the end of the third period.

Now Andrews left before the game ended and missed the action of the last 20 minutes. However, from George Square he could hear the sound of Lex Dunko making another one of his trademark tackles. The tackle also was a try saving one which Lex paid for with his life. By life, I mean his time in the game. He was replaced straight after by Max Bowman who attempted to make a similar thundering tackle but ended up becoming a bit of a speedbump instead.

Leith came out victors 26-8 at the final whistle. A frustrating start to the game but as the game progressed the Leith boys clicked in the right places and played some scintillating rugby.

Cup action next week for the 1st as we take on Livingston away from home. After a gutting cup exit early last season, the boys are looking forward to the opportunity to play for the 2nd round this year.

Best of luck from Leith Rugby to Bannockburn for the upcoming season.