Leith headed to Midlothian for the first fixture of 2017, one rearranged from earlier on in the year. Leith were looking for the win to ensure they were giving themselves the best chance of top 6 rugby action after the split whilst Dalkeith were looking for a victory to keep their promotion hopes alive.

The game kicked off with Leith going up the hill with a gentle breeze against them, and it was the hosts who started the brighter but the Leith defence was functioning well and holding out Dalkeith's big runners. However the home team did leave with 3 points after a infringement around the breakdown outside the 22m. However after some midfield play with both teams trading blows, the home team started to exert some pressure and despite a determined defence effort the numbers in attack eventually took their toll and the home team we able to score in the corner.

8-0 down and at this early stage the next score was crucial, with the bigger Dalkeith pack starting to tire midway into the 1st half Leith were beginning to get some more joy in the midfield and making breaks. After some good runs from Andy Homer, Mike McLeish and Fraser Forsyth, Dalkeith were eventually called offside and Kenny Dannfald split the uprights from 35m meters out. Leith were starting to fire and from the kick off returning flanker Paul Haggon made a break straight through the heart of the defence, good hands from Thomas Lawrie, Ben Wilkinson, Homer and Dannfald finally released Jon Derrin to foray down the wing, however the support did not arrive in time and Dalkeith eased the pressure, however a warning of what the Leith team can do.

The game was finely poised, however after some poor Leith tackling the home team were able to slip in under the posts, in an expression of Leith's determination and fight Andrew Paterson raced off the line and was able to charge the kick down with a strong right hand. Leith did kick on from here and start to put some good play together with Wilkinson marshalling things in the middle of the park. Leith were stretching the defence left and right which eventually allowed number 8 Forsyth to burst through a hole on the halfway line, as he bore down on the 22 and with the covering defence coming across, he slipped a pass to the supporting Paterson who was able to touchdown under the posts. Dannfald added the extras.

Leith were more than in the game at 13-10 down, however in the last 10 minutes of the 1st half a couple of lapses in concentration let the home team in for a couple of scores, the latter right on the dot of of Halftime. This was a disappointing end to the half however even at 25-10 down Leith knew they were still in it, the Dalkeith pack would tire in the 2nd half and their would be chances.

That indeed was the case, Leith were starting to put Dalkeith under more pressure within their own half. Good work from the likes of McLeish, Ollie Main, Stuart Wilson and Bruce Connelly ensured that the home pack wasn't having it their own way, whilst Dannfald and new Leither Joel Doherty were keeping the Dalkeith backs on their toes. However it wasn't slick play that lead to Leith's next try. After some good defensive play from Javier Hervas meant that a Dalkeith ruck on their own 22m was disrupted and after a ball spilled loose he was able to toe it forward. Dannfald was the first to react for Leith and outpaced the covering defender to touch the ball down. He converted his own try and Leith had their tails up.

Leith had their foot to the floor and was determined to make it count in a period which could define the game. Leith were the ones to get the next score as from a quick tap penalty Paterson gave second row Mcleish the pass and with the home defence in a bit of disarray he was able to slip through the tackles of one of the props and sprint in from 40 metres out. Once again Dannfald converted to bring the scores to 25-24 with 25 minutes of the game left to play.

Unfortunately for the Academy Park men, having got themselves back into the game there was once again a period of poor concentration, as the home team ran in 3 unanswered breakaway tries ranging from some good play in their backs to a interception from the halfway line. However credit to Leith as they kept plugging away, playing the remainder of the game in the Dalkeith half as they tried to get what could prove an important bonus point. However it was not be their day as the ball was knocked on one to many times, and the game ended with Dalkeith kicking it dead on their own 5m line.

Overall it was a disappointing result however their were many positive to take from the game. Leith will be looking to take this on to next week as they look to the final game pre split, the fate is currently out of their hands as they must hope league leaders Broughton confine Northern to a loss without bonus point whilst Leith must obtain their own bonus point victory v the university medics, so your support is even more crucial than usual so we hope to see you at Academy Park!

Tries - Paterson, Dannfald, McLeish
Conversion - Dannfald (3)
Penalties - Dannfald
Serrano Manchego MOTM - Mike McLeish