Leith victorious at Arboretum

On a wet day Leith travelled to Arboretum to face Inverleith in a game where both teams were looking to bounce back from defeats in the previous round. Leith were able to name a strong 15 with Doug Watters and Mark Phillips, amongst others, returning to the line up along with last seasons player of year, Craig Smith, able to play a game during his weekend visit, a boost for the Academy Park side.

Leith kicked off in heavy rain up the slope and it didn’t take long for the first points to be scored, unfortunately it wasn’t Leith who registered on the scoreboard. Leith won possession shortly after kick off and in a period of attack from one flank to the other however Craig Smith, who is often on the correct end of interception, was the unfortunate player to throw the ball straight into the arms of the Inverleith player who was able to make it to the line. Try was converted, however it wasn’t just the score which was a blow to Leith as Colin Marshall was left with half a tooth and had to retire. From here though Leith started to build phases and build pressure with most of the game being played in the Inverleith Half of the pitch. There were few opportunities for wingers Marwick and Balmer to surge down the wing however these could be easily defended on the narrow pitch. Leith registered on the scoreboard with a Kenny Dannfald penalty just in from the 10m line, the kick glanced the post as it went over, perhaps the rub of the green that has escaped Leith in the past few weeks.

Leith began to exert more pressure on the Inverleith line however the home sides defence held firm and Leith were only left with another simple chance to convert a penalty from 18ms out, 7-6 to Inverleith however it was the men from Academy park who looked like they would score next. It looked like this chance was gone when Andy Mac fell foul of the referee and was sent to the bin for 10 minutes, however with the forwards providing real grit and determination up front a number of defenders were sucked to the break down allowing for the ball to be thrown out to Craig Smith who in turn gave Kenny Dannfald the pass which allowed him to burst over the line and touchdown ahead of the covering defenders. Try was converted to give Leith a 13 -7 lead in the game.

There was little action left in the first half, Inverleith made a rare foray into the Leith half and 22m, they were rewarded as the referee penalised Leith at the Break down and Gave the home team the chance to make the scores 13-10 at half time. The four man Leith bench was being stretched fully as Dannfald came off with a headknock to be replaced by Paterson, who bravely made his way back onto scrum half after coming off to get his hand treated, Watters moved to his 4th position of the afternoon (fullback) and Marwick into the centres.

Despite there being no additional scores in the 2nd half there was no shortage of action in what was a pulsating game that could have went either way in truth. Leith did have a number of chances to extend their lead, Balmer went close but was tackled just short of the line, before Winton, the loose head prop deployed onto the wing due to more injuries, was adjudged to be in touch before doting the ball down, a harsh call according to the Leithers on the side closest to the action. Inverleith had a few chances of their own but the Leith defence held firm and anything they threw at us was easily repelled, the homeside even made a ‘Robshaw’ call opting to go for the corner rather than the points on offer, whilst not in the last minute a significant play in the game. Balmer had another chance as he hacked a ball forward and was racing clear to gather and more than likely score, however the Inverleith full back, who was left for dead for pace, pulled him down with out the ball and was sent to the bin, far to far out for any greater sanctions but the resulting penalty was missed.

13-10 at full time and Leith were probably the deserved victors holding the lions share of possession and creating more clear cut chances. It was a tremendous squad effort, we were hit with injury throughout the game but the boys dug in a played for each other when times got tough, we ended up with a back row in our centre and a prop on the wing!!! Onto next week and a big game against early pace setters Penicuik.

Tries – Dannfald
Conv – Dannfald
Pens – Dannfald (2)
MOTM - Fraser