Penicuik 2nd XV 15 - 40 Leith 2nd XV

Match repor

The 2s made the journey through to Penicuik for a Friday night fixture, looking for their first win of the season. Having run into Inverleith 1st XV and a strong Peebles A side in their opening two outings of the league campaign, the side were looking for a victory to reward the promise in performance shown to-date in 2018-19. And they certainly started like a side desperate for a W, with the returning Andy Homer crashing over in the first minute, converted by David Sommerville for a 7-0 lead (very) early doors.

Not long after the lead was doubled, as some strong forward carries in midfield from Locks Josh Barker and Adam Hepworth allowed Sommerville to feed halfback partner David Robertson, who broke through the cover defence to ghost over out wide, Sommerville adding the tricky conversion for 14-0. Shortly after it was more of the same, although without the need for those fancy-dan backs, as following a Bomb from Robertson which wing Steven Eadie fielded, more midfield juggernauting, this time from Homer and the evergreen Andy Mac let Sommerville put tighthead Reece Barclay under the posts from short range and 21-0. Unfortunately the soaring Eadie the Eagle was then taken from the pitch with a broken nose. Jack Fraser on to replace him.

Penicuik replied not too long after when another kick from their fly-half bounced favourably, and the right winger did well to regather and dot down in the corner, 21-5 –and so it stayed into half time, with only an injury to Euan Humphreys to report, replaced in the back row by Stephen Baker. Leith continued to try to play open rugby throughout the rest of the half though, and the new centre combination of Tomek Nawrocki and Jon Derrin looked very promising, with the necessary mis of speed, strength and handsome.

At the break the timeless Andy Mac rallied the troops, summoning everything but the power of Greyskull to set his charges to the task ahead in the second half. Hosts fired up, playing uphill and into the howling rain, manys a side has crumbled under the weight of that challenge. And indeed the home side did start the second half well, dominating possession without necessarily troubling the Leith rearguard, Derrin, Robertson and Barker in particular with some strong defence. Penicuik did kick a penalty, their 10 knocking over an impressive kick from 35m, before they got the score that the home side wanted, with their inside centre taking a quick tap and crashing over as the visiting defence retreated. The successful conversion made the score 21-15 with 20 minutes to play and all the momentum seemed to be with the home side.

The Leith D held firm however, MacIntosh marshalling his troops well (was he even Captain? Who knows…but he played like Major!) and after taking everything the home side could muster, following a forced turnover, number 8 Homer broke from his own 22, charging through several would-be tacklers before offloading to the supporting Robertson. The fly-half (and Auchendinny resident) raced outside the cover defence, and shortly before getting emptied into touch he kicked infield, where his halfback partner Sommerville was supporting to gather the bouncing ball and race under the posts – try of the game (season) and cue bedlam among the travelling support.

28-15 to the good with under 20 to play and Leith took the game away from their hosts, with first Derrin diving over near the sticks, before the final try put the icing on the cake as from a good lineout, Leith’s forwards hit the open side several times putting the host defence on the back foot, before the ball was snapped back through Sommerville and Robertson to Nawrocki, who beat a defender before getting snagged, but offload beautifully out the back of his hand to the supporting (knackered) Homer who dived over for a final score of 40-15.
Many thanks to Penicuik for a good game played in great spirit – and the changing room beers. Touch of class.

Leith: Minuti, Wilson, Barclay, Hepworth (Cordoba), Barker, MacIntosh, Humphreys (Baker), Homer, Sommerville, Robertson, Duncan (Keogh), Nawrocki, Derrin, Eadie (Fraser), Dunko.

Tries: Homer (2), Robertson, Barclay, Sommerville, Derrin
Conversions: Sommerville (5)
Man of the Match: Josh Barker for his relentless carrying and tackling.