At the beginning of the afternoon the home side knew what was required to get into the top 6, a bonus point win against the visiting Edinburgh Uni Medics.

The game could not have started in worse circumstances for the Leithers though. Despite some organised defence in the first encounters of the afternoon, Leith were struggling to hold onto the ball when they got their hands on it. This allowed the Medics to start getting their free flowing and offloading came into gear which was causing the home team difficulty. The pressure eventually told on the home team as they conceded not one but two tries in quick succession which was as bad a start as Leith could have imagined.

However despite the setback the tries help to calm the home team down and took some of the pressure off. The home team started to come into the game a bit more and after centre Dave Robertson broke through the Medics defence a first Leith score was on the cards. Robertson was unable to make the whole way but the pressure was now on the Medics defence as they were on their 5m line, after a few phases the ball came out wide and Kenny Dannfald was able to feed Aussie Jon Derrin to go over for the try. Dannfald converted the try to reduce the deficit to 7 points. It wasn't the turning point that Leith were hoping for however as the medics were able to break through some weak tackling to score in the corner, conversion was missed which brought the score 7-19 to the visitors and a lot of rugby to play.

Though in an up and down game Leith would hit back before the break. It was becoming clear that when Leith were holding on to the ball and using it through the hands like they could in the forwards and the backs they would cause the opposition some difficulty. This was starting to function and combined with some powerful running yards were being made. None more so than when number 8 Luke McKinney took a pass from Ben Wilkinson outside the 22m which allowed the big Ulsterman to burst through 3 or 4 tackles as he smashed his way over the line. Dannfald again converted to make it 14-19 at half time.

The Leithers knew that they would not run the younger students off the pitch, but by keeping the ball and using it intelligently would be the key to getting the win and the further 2 tries which were required. The 2nd half started in a breathless fashion as both teams were threatening and the action was swinging from end to end. Leith were able to steal the ball as the Medics threatened and worked their way up the pitch and after holding onto the ball and putting it through the phases. The pressure was once again on the Medics 22m and as the ball was swung from left to right Andy Homer slipped it to George Forrest on the wing who beat his man and produced a strong finish in the corner. Dannfald once again converted to give Leith the lead for the first time.

Neither team was building sustained periods of pressure and it was raging end to end with any score being crucial to the outcome of the game. This time the luck would favour Leith, after a clearing kick was sent down field into the Medics half Robertson was able to ghost up and as the away team tried to ship it wide the interception was scooped and the outside centre was able to run under the posts. The bonus point was achieved but there was still a game to be won and there was no bigger reminder than when the Medics were to cross for their 4th try of the game which was unconverted to bring the score to 28-24 to Leith with around 20 minutes to go.

However with the bonus point achieved Leith would be able to focus on seeing out the game. Firstly, Dannfald stepped up and slotted a penalty from 30ms which gave Leith a 7 point cushion. Leith pulled further away as a scrum was taken against the head and after McKinney rumbled up for a few meters from the base before popping to Forrest who was able to flick it inside to Homer who was now on the flank who powered over the last defender to dot down. Leith were in full flow now and good yards were being made from the likes of Kirkwood, McLeish and Murphy who was able to make a big charge up the centre. The final flourish came in the last minute as Dannfald, who was now at Stand Off following Wilkinison's retirement, was able to slice through the opposition midfield after a scrum in the Medics 22m. Dannfald converted to maintain his 100% record of the day and the final score of 45-24.

Overall it was mission accomplished as the Leith did what they set out at the start of the game. Despite some hairy moments at the start of the game the home team got the game back on track. There were some big performances throughout the team from Connolly, Lawrie and Wilson in the front row controlling at things at scrum time, McLeish and Kirkwood putting in some big shifts in the 2nd row and McKinney, Main and Hervas causing the medics trouble in attack and defence. The backs too all contributed well, half backs of Wilkinson, Paterson and latterly Forrest kept the Leithers in check whilst centres Robertson, Homer and Murphy made hard yard in the backs complimented by the speed of the back three between our Aussie wings Derrin and Doherty and captain Dannfald.

The top 6 now beckons as Leith will now be challenging themselves to better their results against each of the top 6 teams in the first half of the year and that begins with Broughton next week. Once again a big Academy Park support will go along way to helping the boys get the results they hope for.

Tries - Derrin, McKinney, Forrest, Robertson, Homer, Dannfald
Conversion - Dannfald (6)
Penalties - Dannfald
Serrano Manchego MOTM - Ollie Main