Leith pip rivals Trinity

Video Highlights.

After a long and enforced break due to weather, Leith were raring to go for a first league game of 2015 at home to old rivals Trinity. It had been a difficult preparation for the players as the frost in the week leading up to the game had made training on the grass impossible, so game day was the first contact many players had taken in a good while.

Leith’s lack of game time showed in the opening exchanges of the game as Trinity were able to keep hold of the ball and exert pressure in the Leith half. Pressure finally took its toll as Trinity were left with a large overlap on the left hand side of the pitch, allowing the Trinity full back to score the games first try. The conversion was missed and this gave the Leithers the wake up call they needed to get back into the game.

Leith enjoyed a period of possession in which they were camped in the Trinity 22m line however spurned a number of good opportunities to level the scoring. Trinity were giving away penalty after penalty in the red zone, however much to the home supports dismay the referee didn’t go to his pocket for a card. Just as it looked like Trinity had weathered the storm, the home side won a line out 10ms out. The Leith pack, put on a great catch and drive, which gave the opposition no chance of stopping as they marched to the Line. Craig Winton touched the ball down for his 2nd of the season. Dannfald missed the conversion levelling the scores at 5-5.

The cagey affair continued as both team looked to get a foothold in the game. Trinity struck first as they kicked a penalty to take a 8-5 lead however it wasn’t long before the hosts struck back in typical Leith fashion. The forwards done great work to turnover a ball on a Trinity attack deep into the 22m, Leith played it quickly, fed the ball through the backs, finally Steven Eadie got the ball, ignited the after burners and left the covering defenders in his wake. The covering full back, got to him just in time but Stevie powered over. Dannfald was successful with the conversion and the score was 12-8 to Leith at half time.

In terms of rugby action the 2nd half was by far a classic. Both teams were making mistakes and unable to put a number of phases together to seriously concern the other team. Infringements also began to creep into the game with each sides penalty count cranking up. However that is not to say there wasn’t great work being done, a rejuvenated Keith Aitcheson was leading the charge in the forwards as Winton, Connolly and Phillips among others were following suit. In the backs, Ben Wilkinson and Jamie Malcolm, on his debut for the club as an early substitute for George Nixon, were doing sterling work in attack and defence when called upon. All of this led to Trinity’s kicker and Kenny Dannfald trading penalties throughout the 2nd half. Despite missing a couple, Dannfald held his nerve to slot his 2nd penalty of the half from just over 40ms out, this gave Leith a 18-17 minute lead with under 10 to go.

There was the usual blood, sweat and grit as trinity threw everything at the home side but never really manufactured any chances of note. A brawl erupted in the middle of the pitch, more than likely over something very minor, which had many of the old guard reliving some of their previous tussles with the old rivals. The referee took a sensible approach and get both sides with their full compliment to finish the game with. Much jubilation ensued as the ref blew the final whistle to confirm Leith’s victory.

A victory played in typical derby conditions. Wasn’t a classic in terms of a rugby spectacle but their was plenty of grit, determination and aggression shown. Work required at training this week to up the performance levels before heading to Northern next week.

MOTM – Kenny Dannfald

Tries – Craig Winton, Steven Eadie

Convs – Kenny Dannfald (1)

Penalties – Kenny Dannfald (2)