Match Report: Hyndland RFC v Leith

Leith headed through to Glasgow for their 2nd preseason friendly of the campaign, taking on Hyndland at Scotstoun the home of Glasgow Warriors. The only previous encounter between the 2 sides was at the Leith 7s tournament in April, however both sides knew that a game of 15s on a synthetic surface on a blustery Glasgow day would be a different story.

After David Meadows got over the disappointment of not playing on the Warriors’ main pitch the game got underway with Leith playing into the strong breeze in the 1st half. It wasn’t long before Leith got on the score sheet after some good hands in broken play led to Craig Smith scampering down the left to go under the posts for the games 1st try, Doug Watters converted.

A more stable Leith scrum and a greater mobility and aggression in the forwards was giving the Leith backs sought after front-foot ball which was allowing them to create a lot of chances. After another line break in the centres, and quick ruck ball, Watters popped to Kyle Gow, who crashed over for his first Leith try. Kenny Dannfald, (sponsored by Little Lovelies of Edinburgh), and Mark Phillips scored the next two tries scores, before Craig Smith added another to his tally.

The pick of the game’s tries came from straight off the next Hyndland kick off. The Leith forwards took the ball forward from the kick off and rolled through a couple of phases before quick ball to the backs and a wide pass, allowed Craig Smith to release Ross Kilgour who sprinted 40 metres to finish in the corner.

Leith came in at half time 6 tries and 38-0 to the good, however despite the scoreline being so positive the squad knew that there was much to improve on in the 2nd half and the Leithers knew had a few more thinks clicked for the hosts the game could have been a lot tighter.

Despite having the advantage of the wind in the 2nd half the scoring slowed as individual errors crept in leading to the game becoming very stop start with neither team able to build any momentum to put points on the scoreboard. Gow added another score, with an NRL-style finish in the corner, and Smith rounded off his hat trick either side of a Doug Watters effort in which he was rewarded for good support off Ben Wilkinson, allowing him to step a few defenders and touch the ball down.

The stop start nature of the game and some better field posession allowed our hosts to get on the scoreboard too. A combination of good hands, pace and some poor Leith defending allowed Hyndland to score a couple of tries in quick succession out wide. However Leith did finish on top as Greg Hancock scored a try where the defenders parted in front of him allowing the flanker to get over for a scuttling effort, before the day’s scoring was rounded off by Kenny Dannfald, who on the last play of the game managed to get over the whitewash out wide. Both tries demonstrated Leith’s commitment to play the game quickly, and the team were delighted to be rewarded.

Final Score – Leith 69 – 10 Hyndland

Overall a good game played in the true rugby spirit with several Leith players going on for Hyndland as injuries and fatigue hit their smaller squad. A worthwhile exercise too as Leith were able to put together more of their game plan which they have been working on in training however a tougher test v Falkirk 2nd XV awaits this Saturday at Academy Park. Thanks to Hyndland for hosting and we look forward to seeing you return to Academy Park for the Leith 7s in April 2015. Best of luck for the season guys.

**Remember, we are now offering individual player sponsorship. £50 for a season will go a long way to promoting youth rugby in Leith and help the senior squad in achieving there 2014/2015 goals. In return your business will be mentioned in match reports, links on our website, flyers in the clubhouse, mentions in the matchday programme, players are available for press calls/ launches and much more! Email Leithrugby@gmail.com now to find out more.

Scoring
Tries: Craig Smith (3), Kenny Dannfald (2), Kyle Gow (2), Ross Kilgour, Mark Phillips, Doug Watters, Greg Hancock
Assists: Ben Wilkinson (4), Craig Smith (3), Doug Watters (3), Blair Skipper
Conversions: Doug Watters (6), Kenny Dannfald
Man of the Match: Craig Smith

Team
15 Kenny Dannfald (v.capt), 14 Ross Marwick, 13 Craig Smith, 12 Ben Wilkinson, 11 Ross Kilgour, 10 Blair Skipper, 9 Doug Watters;
1 Willie Cook, 2 Sam Hall, 3 Richard Hastings, 4 Kyle Gow, 5 Andy MacIntosh, 6 Chris Bobby, 7 Greg Hancock, 8 Mark Phillips (capt);
16 Jamie Martin, 17 Tom Lawrie, 18 Robert Stitt, 19 Craig Davitt, 20 David Meadows, 21 Andy Morgan, 22 Steven Eadie.