Leith fall short in Tranent

Leith arrived at Tranent looking to keep there impressive undefeated away from home record intact. With many of the back row unavailable, Tight head prop, Colin Marshall, was deployed at number 8 with Rory Clarke filling in at 7 in his first game in over a year. However Leith were looking forward to the game ahead looking to exact some revenge for the 10-0 defeat suffered at the hands of our hosts back in September.

The game kicked off on a slightly damp pitch in East Lothian with Leith attacking down the hill with the wind at their backs. Ross High dominated early possession however the Leith defence was standing firm and containing the Ross High attack to within their own half. The game did start to open up with both sides launching attacks from within each others halves, however these were proving fruitless for both teams. Ross High gained the opening try of the game after their 8 picked from the back of a scrum and raced into the large blindside from around 40ms out. This gave Leith the kick they needed, as they spent the next 5 minutes probing deep into the opposition half and eventually getting their reward. After good pressure, Leith gained a scrum on in the Ross High 22m, Colin Marshall tidied up well at the base of the scrum which then allowed the backs to go wide to the other corner, slick hands from Watters to Smith to Dannfald and finally to Blamer gave the Northern Irishman the chance to get round the last defender to touch down in the corner. Dannfald missed the resulting conversion.

Leith then seized the initiative with another try in what was very similar to the first. After good work by the forwards in the Ross high 22m area, the backs got the opportunity to run the ball and this time Smith gave Dannfald the chance to beat a defender and scamper over from 10ms out. This gave Leith the lead however it was not to last long. Toban Hunt, who otherwise had a fantastic game, was the unfortunate covering defender who was unable to gather the loose ball in the 22m area which allowed the on rushing Ross High player to get over the line. The scores were tied at 10 a piece and the game in the balance as Leith looked to capitalise on the wind and slope advantage however a combination of loose Leith play and good defence meant the scores at the half was 10-10.

Leith knew they had a lot of work to do in the 2nd half with Ross high now having the benefit of the elements. Unfortunately Leith did not pick up from where they left off in the 1st Half and Ross High were able to exert themselves on the game. A few quick tries after some sloppy defending allowed Ross High to stretch into a lead which Leith were unable to fight back from. With a lead built and the advantage of the wind and slope Ross High were able to play the percentages as Leith tried and failed to battle their way back into the game. And just as Leith were probing deep into the opposition 22m in the last play of the game the Ross High winger picked off the interception for the games last act.

Over all a disappointing afternoon for the Leithers, no complaints on the day as the better team ran out deserved victors in the end. There is plenty to be working on over the next few weeks to ensure we are ready for the next test away to Penicuik on the 20th Feb. Man of the Match this week goes to Craig Williamson who offered himself in attack and was constantly tackling throughout the game. Well done Craig.

Tries – Balmer, Dannfald.