Leith sink naval opposition

Leith began their 2016/17 season with a home fixture against HMS Somerset, a Royal Navy team in the area due to the docking of their frigate at Leith for a few days. The fixture was arranged in such haste that there were no time for the council to paint the lines on the pitch, however both teams were happy just to get a run around again and made do.

The game kicked off and almost immediately Leith went on the offensive as the ball was swept from left to right and back again, probing deep into the opposition 22m area, however pre season rustiness was showing as a few balls were not going to hand letting the opposition off the hook. However it did not take too long before a chance presented itself and Kenny Dannfald gave the ball to lock Mike McLeish on the wing to go over from a couple metres. Leith didn't have to wait to long for their 2nd as flanker Grant Aitken was alert to a loose ball 5 metres out to crash over.

As was to be expected it was a very physical game with the Navy boys putting in some huge hits across the park and none more so than in the centre where our own big hitter Eoin Murphy was having a good duel with his opposition man. The visitors were enjoying a bit more territory and were pressing the Leith line for the first time in the game. However just as they were looking like they may score Kenny Dannfald scooped and interception to run the length of the field only to be caught 5ms out but was able to pop to Craig Williamson to go over.

Further scores in the 1st half were added by Eoin Murphy after some good work by Lucas Shearon in the centres, Steven Eadie after the flyer was on the end of a neat backs move and Julian Mpofu after the winger went on a mazy run. This gave Leith a 38-0 lead at half time.

HMS Somerset came more into the game in the 2nd half as they gained more possession and started to create some chances of their own, however it was very evident they hadn't been able to practice much rugby on the high seas as the skills were a bit rusty and chances went a-begging. Scores were traded in the 2nd half as Leith fell off a few tackles to allow HMS Somerset in. Leith scored tries through Aitken, Jon Derrin and Murphy, and the pick of the bunch from debutante Victor Soria. After some good work by the forwards, scrum-half Russell Smith went on a mazy run, popping to the winger before the tackle and the Spaniard sprinted in for the try.

Overall it was a very useful exercise and we were delighted to host HMS Somerset in a game that was played in good spirits from the get go. Leith are now looking forward to the remainder of their preseason games starting with next week where the 1st XV take on Dunbar at home, whilst the 2nds travel up the M90 to take on Kinross.