In the first game of an Open Day double-header on Saturday, Leith welcomed Uddingston to Academy Park, looking to build on an encouraging showing in last week’s opening pre-season friendly with Kinross.

Leith began the game in somewhat frantic fashion, and despite controlling the contact area, poor discipline resulted in the concession of penalties and a consequent lack of possession, with what little there was squandered in an eagerness to play from too deep. Instructions to calm down and build possession through team structures were eventually heeded and with territory regained, Leith were awarded a penalty on Uddingston’s 5 meter line. Scrumhalf Fergal MacNamara took the opportunity to take a quick tap, feeding Paul Haggon who was stopped just short but good clean out from the support players gave McNamara the platform to send flanker, and Man of the Match Liam Wilkinson over to score between the posts. Ben Wilkinson successful with conversion for a 7-0 lead.

From the restart Leith recycled well and MacNamara put up a good kick which was knocked on by Uddingston just inside their half, and straight into the path of winger Nick Andrews, who collected the ball and broke through the defence to pop to Craig Williamson. Williamston burst into the Uddingston 22 and was brought down 5 metres out, but had the awareness to pop the ball to the supporting Andrew Baxter who ran a good support line to score. Wilkinson again successful with the conversion for 14-0.

Uddingston did break into Leith’s 22 shortly after and dominated territory for 10-15 minutes, but a combination of some great defence and concession of penalties frustrated the visitors for some time, until following a strong scrum base, some poor tackling allowed their stand-off in for a score. Conversion successful, 14-7.

The Leith chase was good from the KO putting Uddingston under pressure, and they were able to turn over ball again releasing Craig Smith to go on a mazy run. He then went into contact, with the forwards there to secure clean ball for the backs and Wilkinson fed Williamson who created another try for Baxter, who burst onto his inside pass to brush aside 3 defenders and coast over from 30 yards out posts. Conversion successful, 21-7.

Having worked hard at their restarts at training recently, Leith again capitalised on this opportunity, with Bruce Connelly catching the ball and off loading to Fraser Forsyth, who took it in to contact and great support play ensured quick phase play, and a silky set of hands from captain Stuart Wilson released Smith tight to the touch line. He saw space and put in a nice kick and chase for his supporting runners, and it was Baxter who again won the race to notch his hat-trick, stretching out to plant the ball line in the scrambling tackle. Wilkinson successful with conversion, 28-7. The defence was also remaining resolute, with Liam Wilkinson leading the way with some great first up tackles on Uddingston’s strong ball carriers allowing Leith’s forwards to turn over plenty ball. 28-7 half time.

Leith made 11 changes at half time and it took them some time to adjust to the changes. This was evident at the scrum resulting in Uddingston being awarded a penalty try for 28-14. Leith responded really well however with some good controlled play. They were tackled on Uddingston 22 but set up good ball for the forwards, then backs, and new stand off Kenny Dannfald fed Craig Winton who delayed his pass to fix the defence, and Matt Allison broke three tackle before being stopped just short. New scrum half David Somerville was on hand to pick up at the base and score. Dannfald successful with the conversion, 35-14.

Some more indiscipline around the contact area allowed Uddingston a good platform to attack thereafter and after good defence from Leith stooping the score 10 meters out, Uddingston did some quick pick and goes to get over the try line. Conversion was good, 35-21. Uddingston did not give up and another penalty infringement at the lineout from allowed Uddingston to tap and go, and some good passing allowed them to score in the corner, 35-26.

Leith went on the attack again and were awarded a penalty 10 meters from Uddingston try line. Electing to run the ball, MacNamara hit Craig Winton, who in turn gave a delicious pass to Allison who would not be stopped this time, scoring under the posts - Dannfald successful for 42-21. Uddingston came back again at Leith with some good passing and were able to score their final try out wide, 42-33.
This seemed to galvanise Leith back in to action, and some great forwards play took them up the park with good interlinking passes, and after setting up inside the Uddingston 5-mtere line, Robert Stitt was late to the ruck but received the ball to crash over for a score. Dannfald again successful to take the score to 49-33.

Leith were not finished and started to throw the ball about with confidence, and after Paul Haggon made a break, he dummied supporting winger Andrews, and with the visiting fullback executing a good cover tackle, he offloaded to Craig Smith who was supporting the inside line, 56-33.

The final try of the game saw the backs move the ball wide through Dannfald, Smith and Doug Watters, the latter giving it back inside to Dannfald, who turned a couple of defenders inside, then out, before sending Andrews over in the corner for a great team try, and a final score of 61-33.

Check out all the tries in our highlights video.

Congratulations to Liam Wilkinson who was awarded MOTM for his outstanding defence and ball carrying.