Leith back with a bang in the Borders

Leith travelled to Earlston on Saturday on the back of 6 straight losses and were looking bounce back on their quest to climb the league and get into the top 6. And despite Earlston’s position in the league, they were not to be taken lightly as a last minute victory the week previous against Gala YM will have buoyed the men from The Haugh.

After a short warm up the home side kicked off with the visitors attacking the clubhouse for the first half. With the ball immediately falling short of the 10m line Leith were given the opportunity to attack. From the scrum Leith went on the offensive and moved the ball wide, possession was retained for several phases as Leith moved back across the park making yards deep into the 22m. Once again the ball was moved wide to the other side of the park where Kenny Dannfald was able to beat the first man and make 10 meters before popping off to Neil Paterson who was able to do the same before being stopped meters from the line, the 2nd row was able to get the ball away to Luke McKinney, and there was no stopping the big number 8 from a few metres as he crashed over the line. Dannfald added the extras to give Leith a 7 point lead in the first few minutes. Leith were looking to build on the early momentum which they had built and went in search of more points, strong running from Bruce Connelly, Fraser Forsyth and Thomas Lawrie up front, combined with some good interchanges between Andy Homer, 1st XV debutant Stuart Wilson and Luke Mckinney resulted in some fast free flowing rugby which eventually led to stand off Ben Wilkinson giving 2nd Row Mike McLeish a flat pass allowing the former Earlston High School man the chance to beat a couple of defenders and stride in from the 22m line beating the last defenders.

Leith weren't finished with their blistering start to the game and once again got the ball in attacking position. The home side were unable to live with the use of the ball, the strong running and the quick phase play that was being generated. Yards were being made as the home side slipped off the tackles, this culminated in centre Doug Watters getting the ball outside the 22 and creating a yard of space for openside Grant Aitken to bundle through the line, Aitken was able to burst through a couple of tackles and had no need for any additional support before touching down under the sticks. With the conversion added the score was 19-0 after the first 15 minutes. However Earlston were now starting to get into the game, retaining possession and building phases to get the momentum back into their favour. Leith were also doing their best to help them as the penalty count was beginning to take its toll allowing the home team territory. The Leith defence was standing resolute and Earlston were struggling to breach the line and gain significant ground, however after another penalty was concede the Earlston hooker was able to take a quick tap as Leith were retreating to the line and go over for his team’s first of the day.

However the response from the visitors was admirable as they got back to the rugby which had served them well in the opening stages of the game, and it was Luke Mckinney who was able to get the next touch down as some fantastic interplay between himself, Homer, Wilson and finally McLeish produced something of a rarity as McKinney ran in from outside the 22m, even throwing in a change of direction (don’t think it could be classed as a sidestep!!), before dragging a couple of defenders over the whitewash with him. Leith once again had their tails up and had Earlston on the back foot and after Dannfald regathered a spilled ball from a kick forward, quick ball was achieved, the forwards kept the pressure on the defence in the middle of the pitch before Watters passed to Wilkinson who was able to out pace the Earlston defence to get in under the posts. Both conversions added and Leith saw out the half to make the score at the turnaround 33-7 to Leith.

Leith knew that Earlston would be throwing everything at them in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half in their attempt to get back into the game. And once again the momentum swung back to the home team as the Academy Park men started to cough up the ball and give away some cheap penalties letting them back in. After some pressure the Earlston forwards crashed over the line after a series of pick and goes. However once again Leith struck back after finally winning the ball and making use of it by working their way up the pitch. Returning prop Craig Winton made a gain wide in the 22, falling just short of the line and with the surrounding players clearing the ruck it gave McLeish the chance to pick and go to the corner with an acrobatic touch down that any rugby league winger would be proud of. The tight conversion hit the post meaning the score was 39-14 to Leith.

Earlston still knew they were in a game and to their credit continued to play their rugby in search of more scores that would let them back into it. Leith again were helping them out as the discipline let them have ball back on several occasions. The pressure built finally took its toll as a mismatch was spotted in the backs which the home team were able to exploit for a score. Things went from bad to worse for the visiting team as captain Dannfald was penalised for what was adjudged to be a high tackle by the whistler and following the mounting penalties given away it was the final straw and he was sent to the sin bin. With the numerical advantage and the momentum in the game Earlston were able to really exert themselves and get well and truly into the game, 2 quick fire scores were dotted down and with around 15 minutes to go the score was 39-28 to the away side.

However with Dannfald returning to the fray along with the experience of back rower Andy MacIntosh, Leith were able to shore the game up and start playing rugby in the right areas of the field, putting the Earlston defence under pressure. They were finding it difficult to breach the line however the clock was continually counting down and Earlston were finding it difficult to get on the ball. The ball was eventually turned over with 4 minutes to go but the away team was able to see the last few minutes safely out.

Overall Leith were happy to get back to winning ways, a bonus point win in the borders is never an easy thing to achieve, but disappointed in the 2nd half performance, if they were able to play a bit smarter in the opening minutes it may have broken the home side’s spirits, however delighted with some aspects of the 1st half performance where they were blown out the water. The win also ensured the beer tasted all the better as the players painted the town red for their annual Christmas night out. 1 more league game before Christmas as Leith attempt to do the same again, get a victory in the Borders, Gala YM the opponents next weekend.

Man of the Match this week was very difficult. A number of good performances in the forwards particularly from McKinney, Wilson and Paterson and whilst McLeish got the ‘clubhouse’ man of the match for his home returning performance, the official award this week goes to scrum half George Forrest, a lot of Leith’s good first half play was down to the quick ball he was able to provide, tenacious in attack all day as well as putting in some great tackles.

Tries – McKinney (2), McLeish (2), Aitken, Wilkinson
Conversions – Dannfald (4)
Serrano Manchego MOTM – George Forrest