Leith Triumph at Home

Leith, in their changed pink strips, brought some brightness to an otherwise dark and blustery day in the capital. Earlston were the visitors in what was building to be a good clash between the on form Leith and the Borders side out for some revenge after the loss at home to Leith earlier in the season.

Leith started with the wind at their backs and it wasn’t long before the first points were on the board. Earlston infringing in the 22m area allowed Kenny Dannfald the easy opportunity to put 3 points on the board. Leith looked to take charge of the game and get the first try of the game by putting more and more pressure on the opposition line. Although the home side were hampered by a few handling mistakes or the final pass not quite sticking. It didn’t take long for breakthrough to be made. From a poor clearing kick, Doug Watters passed infield to Dannfald, an explosive step off the right wrong footed the Earlston defence and Dannfald cut through the middle of pitch to go over. Dannfald converted his own try, making the score 10-0.

From here Leith went to sleep a wee bit and conceded quite a few penalties gifting the opposition field position and momentum. Leith however did do well to repell any advances from Earlston in attack and managed to spoil well any set piece ball. It was a little good fortune Leith got there 2nd of the game. A clearing kick ricocheting of the Earlstons defenders leg into Andrew Paterson hands, ‘Pat’ gave a pass to Craig Smith who scampered up the wing, a chip kick forward was recollected by Pat who went in under the posts. Conversion added 17-0 to Leith.

Leith then upped the ante a little bit and were unfortunate not to add any more scores in the first half. Great in roads were made into the Earlston 22m, however the chances were squandered meaning the half finished with Leith 17 points to the good. With the wind now against them and an Earlston team fired up with still being in the game Leith knew that the 2nd half would be tough. The home side managed to weather the early storm as Earlston looked to get on the scoreboard and after the initial pressure Leith managed to get some ball of their own. An tap penalty in the 22m gave Bruce Connolly the opportunity to crash up in the middle, good recycling at the breakdown gave the backs the ball which allowed Smith to hit Dannfald back in on the angle to go over in the corner.

Leith weren’t finished yet though and went searching for the bonus point try and they didn’t have to wait long. Loose play in the middle of the pitch allowed substitute David Meadows to spin out of and break a couple of tackles. He then gave the ball to Craig Smith who was able to take on and beat a few covering defenders to go in under the posts, conversion added bring the score to 29-0. George Nixon then got in on the scoring on his first game of the season. After some neat play down the near side Skipper passed to Dannfald, to Smith and finally to Nixon who scored in the corner. Dannfald then notched up his hat trick when Smith fielded a clearing kick and released the Full Back down the left flank, beating a couple of men before scoring out wide. The final two kicks were missed making the score 39-0 at full time.

Leith were glad to come through the game in tricky conditions with a bonus point and a clean sheet. Many positives to take from the game but still room for improvement as Leith head to Foresters on Saturday.

MOTM – Andrew Paterson

Tries –Dannfald (3), Paterson, Smith, Nixon

Conv – Dannfald (3)