Leith wrap up season with victory

Leith went into the final game of the season looking to wrap up 3rd place on what has been a successful season on the pitch. It was a dry but blustery day which were reminiscent of when the sides first met in the league.

Leith kicked off with the wind at their backs and it didnt take long for them to get on the scoreboard.Blair Skipper hit Craig Smith on a miss pass. From here on in it was the same story we have seen for the entire season, as Craig beat the last cover defenders to touchdown underneath the posts. Dannfald added the extra. However what was next was not in Leith's script as the Liberton 12 broke through some weak tackles to touch down in the corner.

Leith did start to exert some more pressure and with Liberton reduced to 14 men a score was imminent. Leith were putting pressure on and as Liberton tried to clear their lines it found Craig Smith in the 22 who had the easy task of running in to the corner for his 33rd try of the season. The conversion was missed meaning the score was 12-5. Unfortunately that was to be Craig's last score as he was forced to leave the field with a bad facial injury.

However his replacement Doug Watters would get in on the act of scoring for himself. After Libertons Hooker put in a poor cross field kick, Russell Smith was able to gather and pop to Doug. The replacement 13 was able to step the winger and charge up the wing, a grubber kick in field was then chased and gathered and as the Liberton defence collided and parted it left Doug to sprint in for the try. The conversion from Dannfald was good making tha half time score 19-5 to Leith.

Now playing against the wind Leith new it would be a difficult 2nd half playing against a team fighting for survival in the league. As expected Liberton threw everything at Leith for the first 20 minutes and were rewarded. A few penalties conceded meant Leith were on a Team warning and after another penalty was conceded, Ross Marwick was sent to the bin. Leith were then reduced to 13 as Andy Mac followed Ross to the sin bin for rucking offences. Liberton scored a try and a penalty making the score 19-13. As Leith were brought up to their full compliment they found a Liberton on the ascendancy and another try was conceded putting the score at 19-20.

This seem to be the catalyst for Leith to get back into the game. Firstly Ross Marwick got on the end of a Blair Skipper pass and got on the outside of his man and gassed the defence to score. Dannfald added the extras. The games final score came from a Leith scrum in the their own 22m. Skipper hit Doug who in turn stepped his man and accelerated to the halfway line. His well timed passed released Dannfald who had the pace to beat the covering defence from the halfway to touchdown in the corner. Dannfald has his kicking boots on as he slotted the difficult conversion.

Final score Leith 33 - 20 Liberton. Pleasing to finish the season with a victory and with other results going our way to finish in 3rd place. Just rewards for the effort and application the squad has put in this year. That being said the boys know with some more hard work between now and next season there will be a good chance Leith will be in with a shout in this League.

Video Highlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To5bq5t5rEs&feature=youtu.be

Tries - Smith (2), Watters, Marwick, Dannfald

Conv - Dannfald (4)

MOTM - Watters