Vital home victory for Leith

Following last weekend's disappointing defeat to Trinity, Leith welcomed Portobello to Academy Park for a vital East League 2 clash. Portobello arrived at their city neighbours on the back of several good wins and having not lost in 2016, Leith on the other hand were looking to earn a vital victory that would provide the points to haul them back up the league. On a good day for rugby Leith lined up with a makeshift back division with Kenny Dannfald filling in at 10, centre David Robertson at full back and winger Matt Balmer occupying the 13 berth, however the team weren't looking to make excuses and were looking forward to taking to the field.

From a Leith perspective the opening 40 minutes was a defensive one, as constant waves of Portobello attack mixed with a few careless mistakes and inability to effectively exit meant there was not all that much to write about from a home attacking perspective. However Leith were at least able to repel the attacks and despite being reduced to 14 men towards the end of the half only reduced Portobello to a shot at goal which was missed. Some excellent defence from the home team meant the half time score was 0-0.

It was in the 2nd half that things really started to kick into life for the home team. Increased possession and better linking play meant that Leith were finally growing into the game and were putting more pressure on the Portobello line. The reward for this increased 2nd half pressure was a try after good phase play, Leith were able to stretch Portobello around their 22m before David Meadows got the ball on short side and jinked his way past a few defenders to dot down in the corner. The conversion was missed leaving Leith with a narrow 5-0 lead.

This score seemed to spark Leith into life, and not being keen to defend again, they immediately went into attack mode once again. After making great strides into the Portobello 22m via a Julian Mpofu run, there were chances to score a further try however the home team were unable to take these chances and had to settle for an easy 3 points from a visiting transgression. Straight from the kick off Grant Aitken went into rampage mode and the flanker tore up the pitch leaving the defenders in his wake, this fast, front foot ball allowed Dannfald to run at the defence, before popping to Matt Balmer who produced a great finish from 30 metres out beating a few defenders on his way.

Leith weren't finished there though and looked to add to their 2nd half total. Aitken had a few more rampages, while Eoin Murphy in the centre was also making some good runs, and interesting the defence. All of this allowed Leith more possession to run at an increasingly tired Portobello defence. After good work at the set piece the backs put together some slick hands which allowed Matt Balmer to break through in the centres once again and he executed the 2v1 with the full back perfectly and Ross Kilgour went over for his try.

With just over 5 minutes remaining Leith went in search of a bonus point try but came up against a Portobello looking to have their final say on the game. Leith conceded a try in the final few minute but after the restart and another Aitken run we were down in the red zone once again, however this time and with the final play were unable to get over the line.

The game finished with Leith running out 18-7 winners in what was a vastly improved performance on last week.

It was very difficult to choose a man of the match as everyone fronted up and put it on the line for the jersey. However, at the forefront of this and with several terrific runs down the pitch was Grant Aitken who snuck the award this week.

Tries - Meadows, Balmer, Kilgour
Pen - Dannfald