Tough shift for Leith XV

Leith welcomed East 1 side Dunbar RFC to Academy Park on Saturday for the 2nd outing of pre-season, in what would prove a tough test for a side featuring several debutants and new combinations. Playing toward Lochend in the 1st half (or 2 quarters), Leith dominated at set-piece, and had a fair share of possession, but poor concentration twice cost the hosts, with quick tap penalties leading to the opening two Dunbar tries. The visitors would score three more times in the opening 40 minutes, punctuated by a first try for the club, from debutant back-rower Ollie Bain. Richard Hastings adding the extras. Leith also blew a try of the season contender, when after a sweeping length of the field move down the right, and strong running from winger Jon Derrin, the ball was recycled to the left wing, only for the last pass to miss it's target.

The last pass would be Leith's achilles heel throughout the 2nd half, where with a reasonable amount of ball and territory, they were unable to add to their score, even when playing with a man's advantage in the 3rd period, after the visitors winger was sin-binned for an armless tackle on stand-in captain Doug Watters, who looked set to score. Meanwhile Dunbar capitalised on some clever kicking from their stand-off, as well as some weak tackling from a tiring home side late in the game to run in five more tries.

All in a good exercise, with an inexperienced Leith side sticking together throughout. Plenty positives to draw, as well as much to work on this week, ahead of the visit of Queensferry and Paisley for fixtures next Saturday 13th August during the club's Open Day