RDVC 12 - 28 Leith

After the frustration of the previous week's postponement vs Edinburgh Medics, Leith went into last Saturday's game with RDVC looking to snap a 3-game losing streak, and claim a first win since late-September. Peffermill has always been a pretty happy hunting ground for Leith in the past, however a combination of the aforementioned streak, coupled with the Vets own significant improvement following a spell in the East Development league, meant a tricky fixture was forecast, and so it ensued.

Although Leith dominated territory and possession throughout the first half, some poor decision-making, as well as it should be said, some excellent defence from the Vets meant that despite excellent ball-carrying from the whole pack, particularly Fraser Forsyth, Joe O'Neil, Michele Crolla and Toby Kirkwood the opening score was a while in coming. Having finally broken our hosts down around the 20-minute mark, with a sweeping move to the right allowing scrumhalf Ross Kilgour to make a break and put Ross Marwick into a 1-on-1 with his opposition winger, the big wing crossing out wide, the lead was to be short lived. Not long after Kenny Dannfald, who would be 100% with his conversions on the afternoon, had added difficult extras, the Vets chanced their arm from long distance, and offloading a couple of times out of the tackle, went over for a halftime score of 7-7.

Leith huffed and puffed at the start of the 2nd half, but again despite dominating possession, territory and at set piece time, were unable to make the break through. Dannfald missed a penalty just before the hour, however the fullback would put Leith into the lead shortly after, when following 2 excellent breaks from substitutes Andrew Paterson and Robbie Allen, Dannfald took the scoring pass from Allen to dive over, before converting his own try for a 14-7 lead.

Allen continued to punch holes through the Vets midfield, and linking with Jamie Scotland-Drummond, the pair took Leith just into the opposing 22, where centre Doug Watters picked at the base and dummied his way over the line. Dannfald added the conversion for a 21-7 lead and Leith were beginning to focus on the bonus point. However a lapse followed, and the Vets number 8, who had played well all day brushed off a couple of would-be tacklers to go over for an unconverted try and at 21-12, Leith knew the game wasn't over with around 10 minutes to play. Importantly though, they were able to get the next (and final) score, with replacement scrumhalf Fergal MacNamara attacking the line and skipping in for a converted score, and a 28-12 victory.

All in all, it was a victory forged in the forwards, and despite singling out one or two in the course of this report, it was all 8, plus the 4 replacements who set the platform for the Leith backs to eventually hog the glory.

Next up for Leith is the visit of Dalkeith on November 4, which post-clocks going back, will be a 2pm KO.

Tries: Ross Marwick, Kenny Dannfald, Doug Watters, Fergal MacNamara
Conversions: Kenny Dannfald (4)
Man of the Match: Doug Watters

Leith: Kenny Dannfald, Ross Marwick (Andrew Paterson), Doug Watters, Stevie Muirden (Robbie Allen), Steven Eadie, Ben Wilkinson (c), Ross Kilgour (Fergal MacNamara); Bruce Connelly (Keith Aitchison), Craig Winton (Tom Lawrie), Joe O'Neil, Michele Crolla, Toby Kirkwood, Paul Haggon (Ewan Sutherland), Jamie Scotland-Drummond (Pete Mitchell), Fraser Forsyth.