Narrow loss for 2s

The mighty 2’s had to contend with a very strong Kelso Sharks side this week, and Leith were up for the challenge from the moment they arrived. Big shouts during the warmup from Crolla, Lees and Wreckin’ Ball Reece kept ringing out for the full 80 minutes. Leith put in a massive shift; they will reflect hard on a narrow loss but walk away with their chins up.

Kelso had the kick to start us off and Leith knock-on just outside their own 22, on the far side. Kelso pass out wide from the scrum and find their midfield facing a gap. They stride through at pace and even a sterling last ditch tackle by Max Bowman can’t stop the try. The conversion is successful. In the first minute of the game, this is a tough one to take. From the restart, Captain George Lees, returns the boot and the Leith pack are straight up in a line. Pinning Kelso in their own half and eventually drawing the penalty, the pressure too much to take. From the scrum on the halfway line, Lees puts boot to ball once more, the chase down the wing from the Leith backs. After some horrible bounces of the ball, Michele Crolla gathers and takes over the line. However, the referee spots the knock-on in the build-up and it’s Kelso’s ball. Leith have kept Kelso in their own half for 8 minutes now. This is not the game they were expecting, and the murmurs of frustration start to show from the visitors. The game continues in Kelso’s half as the Leith pack keep them there for a further 7 minutes. Unfortunately, after drawing a few penalties from the visitors, Leith are deemed to have sealed off in the ruck. Kelso finally get a chance to escape their half.

The visitors win their line out and go through their phases, they’re making meters, but Leith’s defence is intact. They’re 10m from the line and the whistle goes, the refs arm extends towards Leith. From the pile of bodies you can spot the tell-tale scrum cap of the Leith number 6, Christopher Findlay, his turnover is the relief they needed. The next few phases are a see-saw of kicking 10’s with the Leith pack eventually securing possession and a penalty back in the opposition’s half. Lee’s takes the tap and tips it to James Mallon, the loosehead makes a destructive 10m carry with 4 Kelso men hanging off him. He’s not alone though, support is good from the pack, Jon Derrin making a big clear out and Callum Scott picking up to make another 8m carry. The pressure is good and Kelso are forced off their feet at the ruck. George Lees uses his experience, quick tap and carry, Kelso are all offside. Leith are on the 5m line, another big carry from Mallon and some good control, from ever-present scrum half Stuart Briggs, keeps the ball moving. It’s out with the backs, heading wide, but Kelso read it well and their defence proves too much, forcing the knock-on. This was a real opportunity and Kelso had to bring everything to stop it. Some tenuous play and tired legs from both sides follow, huge efforts already put into this first half. Kelso have it back inside Leith’s 22 but the defence once again proves too much. Half time, Lieth 2XV 0 – 7 Kelso Sharks.

Leith get us back under way and the chase for the kick is good. Lewis Pugh puts in a deafening tackle on the opposition but unfortunately picks up a knock at the same time. Leith retain possession through a penalty but lose it in the next phase. Kelso bring the pressure for the next 10 minutes, going through 20 phases but only making 10m. A strong turnover attempt by Howatson goes unnoticed and the ref gives the scrum to Kelso. Leith get the upper hand and win back ball, a big carry from the number 8, Scott, followed by a nice angled run and offload out the back by Howatson. They don’t get it away quick enough, Kelso win it back and enter another long set of phase play. The pressure is on Leith now, on their own 5m with the ball shipping out wide. The ref sounds the whistle, Kelso have passed forward. A strong scrum and a slicing run, yet again by Howatson, moves Leith forward by a solid 30 meters. Followed by a strong carry over the halfway line by Jon Derrin, his offload is knocked on though. Kelso are back in possession; they kick for the line out. A couple of strong carries and offloads sees them just past the shoulder of our defence, it’s a well worked try. The conversion is good.

Max Bowman carries the ball up to the halfway line for the restart, spots the disorganised Kelso backs and puts it in behind them. It’s a nice attempt but allows Kelso to run it back up to halfway. Kelso are pushed into touch by the pack and Leith have their escape. They draw out a few penalties and edge down the park, Kelso are now under pressure. Lee’s takes the tap and go, passes to Howatson, who again beats two men. It ends up with Crolla making another few meters and offloading out the back to Reece Barclay. Another phase of Howatson, Crolla and Barclay and Leith get the penalty 5m out. Another tap and go by the captain gets the unstoppable Wreckin’ Ball Reece over the line for the try. Conversion is missed.

Kelso don’t waste time and soon the pressure is back on Leith, Once again, the defence is solid with big hits all day from the tight five. They work their way back into the Kelso half with some more big carries and penalties being drawn. Lee’s kicks to touch and the pack prepares for the last attack of the game. The line out is good and so is the phase play. James Mallon is brought down by the collar, it’s the only way to stop him, but it’s silly and dangerous. Referee gives the yellow but not the penalty try. The phases continue and the ball works out wide, stalwart Lex Dunko almost enough space through, but not quite. Another penalty is given, another tap and go. There’s no stopping Crolla from this distance and he gets Leith’s 2nd try. Conversion Missed and the full-time whistle sounds. Leith 2XV 10 – 14 Kelso Sharks.

Big things to come from this Leith 2XV, conversions being the only difference on the score sheet. The pressure was there, the defence was massive and at the end of the game everyone was still standing. Next week sees them away against league leaders Melrose Storm, they’ll be hoping to improve on this form and get the win in the borders.