Leith 50 - 15 Kinross

Saturday's opening pre-season fixture saw the visit of Kinross RFC down the M90, and the return to the club of former captain and coach Tam Bennett, now in charge of the Caledonian Division 2 Midlands outfit, as well as another familiar face in the opposition's stand off jersey, in ex-Leith player Fraser Ross.

The game started well for Leith, as they collected the kick off and retained the ball through 11 phases before a good burst through midfield from Ross Kilgour allowed Doug Watters to break from the base of the ruck to offload for debutant Luke McKinney to sprint in under the posts from just outside the Kinross 22. Kenny Dannfald adding the extras. Another try was soon to follow when after Andrew Paterson fielded a kick in his own half, the scrum half ran 40 metres before passing inside to the supporting Craig Williamson, who became the day's second debut try scorer. Skipper Dannfald again successful with the conversion. It wasn't too long before a third newbie was on the scoresheet, when Williamson fed Eoin O'Neill with a great looping pass, and the Irishman showed great pace and strength to score out wide. That concluded the scoring for the opening 20-minute quarter.

The second quarter saw Kinross exert some pressure near the Leith line, with a succession of lineouts, and some powerful running from their inside centre, the Leith defence structures getting a good workout over the first half of the second quarter, before a missed touchline-seeking penalty allowed the returning Dave Robertson to step his opposing winger and run 30-40 metres, drawing the fullback and putting Ryan Burgess in in the corner for his first. His second was not long in arriving, when a set play on the Leith 22 saw Burgess sprint in off a flat pass from Watters. Williamson adding the conversion for a half time score of 31-0.

Kinross to their credit dominated the third period of the game, now being refereed by replacement whistler Tony Reilly, who stepped in to replace original referee Jonathan Cockayne who unfortunately twisted an ankle. Keeping things tight and offloading well among their impressive tight 5, the visitors forced several penalties close to the Leith line, before another quick tap saw their scrum half go over in the corner. The Midlands side continued to exert pressure on the try line and with tempers fraught (get fitter lads) Leith hooker Willie Cook was sent to the sin bin along with one of the Kinross back-row. Leith then built their way out of trouble with some decent phase work, moving into the Kinross 22, where Watters put Burgess in out wide for the full-back's hat-trick. The home side didn't maintain the pressure though, and from another penalty in the Leith 22, the visiting scrum half then showed his creativity and some quick thinking, kicking cross field for his prop to touch down out wide. One for fans of the front row that one!

In the final quarter, Kinross were to score first, with their prop crashing over out wide after some good pick and drives put the hosts on the back foot, the resulting conversion hitting the bar. Leith then scored the final two tries of an entertaining game when Watters picked up at the base of a ruck, after a good drive from Fraser Forsyth, to scamper over the line, then after a good move involving backs and forwards, Paterson got quick ball to hit Watters who put Williamson under the posts for his second.

All in all a valuable exercise, hopefully for both teams, and we wish Kinross all the best for their season ahead. Attentions at Leith now turn to Dunbar next weekend, which will provide a stern test for the squad as they head towards the season opener on September 5th.

See all the tries on our YouTube page.