Leith 2nds triumph

After a number of weeks without a game the Leith 2nd Xv took on Penicuik 2nd XV in the East 3 reserve league. Kick off had been moved to 12.30 due to the international fixtures on but it can be no excuse for the sluggish start that Leith made to the game. A lack of tackling from the home side allowed the Penicuik winger to scamper down the touchline and score the games opening try, however the response from Leith was almost immediate response. Gary Wardle, usually a back rower guesting at centre was given the ball and set off on a 60m rampaging run down the pitch. He was successfully in beating the 1st and 2nd line of defence and touching down under the posts, Dannfald adding the extras.

Leith were then able to add a second with pressure being applied in and around the fringes close to the Penicuik line allowed the ball to be moved from Craig Winton to Kenny Dannfald and allow the stand off to jink in from 5ms out underneath the posts. Leith’s third try was a carbon copy of the 2nd with Winton was again giving Dannfald the simplest of finishes from 5ms out to stroll in underneath the posts. Dannfald converted both scores to bring the scores to 21-5. However the scoring wasn’t complete in the 1st half with Penicuik crossing the white wash once again in what was becoming a really tit for tat battle. At half time the score was finely balanced at 21-12 to the home side.

After the relative try fest of the 1st half the 2nd was the polar opposite, despite both teams attacking each other the defences were holding out firm in what was a good battle between attach v defence. Penicuik did eventually breach the Leith defence to bring the scores close however Leith’s response was admiral in the way the exerted pressure from the kick off to work the play down into the Penicuik 22m. Once again it was the destructive running of centre Gary Wardle who was able to get through the defence again and crash over the line. Dannfald once again successful with the boot brought the score to 28-19 which the game finished.

A good workout for the 2nd xv who defended well in the 2nd half and finished tries off when need. Also good to see the 2nd xv turning out in such numbers and working to the same systems as the 1st xv, there is certainly a number of 1st xv jerseys which are no longer secure

Tries – Dannfald (2), Wardle (2)

Conv – Dannfald (4)

MOTM – Wardle