Leith Kick Off Shield with a win

The first competitive game of the 2016/17 season arrived with a trip to Edinburgh Northern in the 1st round of the Edinburgh Regional Shield competition. The first pre season of coach Ron Harris’s tenure had been positive with a lot of hard work being done over the the past 8 weeks. Though the results in warm up games were not always positives, the performance had been so the Leith squad had confidence coming into the season.

The short trip was made to Inverleith park on a warm and sunny day perfect for some running grass (although evidently the council hadnt cut the grass in a while as it was almost up to Julian’s knees). The squad was a very recognisable one to the one that finished last season however Ollie Main was handed a debut on the openside and Mark Phillips was welcomed back to the fold after an absence last year.

The game kicked off with Leith taking the ball and immediately setting off on the offensive. The Academy Park many were having the better of the early exchanges however a lack of composure and early season rustiness saw a few balls hit the deck meaning any serious attack was stopped before it got going. However Leith were to register the first points on the board.

From Northern’s first deep attack into the 22m Leith got a turn over and quickly set off into attack. Fortunately for veterans Place and Cook who found themselves on the wing when they got the ball, cook managed to find Dannfald who was able to stretch his legs and stride out of the 22m. A neat chip over the full back and nudge on set Dannfald on the clear, the chasing Northern winger managed to get down on the ball first but it spilled out from beneath him. Dannfald was able to regather and get a pass off to Wilkinson for him to step the last defender and score. Dannfald missed the resulting conversion but didnt have to wait for long for the next chance.

It was from some excellent Leith pressure in the Northern half that led to Ollie Main stealing the ball and popping off to scrum half Craig Williamson. Criag was able to exploit a whole in the disorganised home defence to surge into the 22m. The last man was drawn, and the pass given to Ben Wilkinson for the Northern Irishman’s 2nd try of the game. The simple conversion made to bring the scores to 12-0.

Whilst Leith were looking to kick on from here and put the home team to the sword, however the Northern men wernt out of it and some poor tackling in the middle of the pitch allowed Northern to get a try back of their own, which was duly converted. Northern were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes as a prop was sent to the bin for an adjudged deliberate knock on in a promising position for Leith. Leith took advantage of the superior numbers as Dannfald was able to give an inside ball to Watters who meant into the Northern 22m and selflessly gave the ball to Craig Williamson as he thought he was getting caught by the last defender. Again the try was converted.

Just as northern were brought up to their full compliment of 15 Leith were reduced to 14 as captain Kenny Dannfald was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for the same offense as the northern man. Northern were able to take full advantage of the numbers and get back 2 tries in the last 10 minutes of the half meaning that the half time score 19 - 19. Leith were confident of turning the game around feeling they had the better of the 1st half and sloppy mistakes were allowing Northern into the game.

Back up to the full complement after halftime Leith got the break they were looking for with a stroke of luck. A floated pass in the middle of the field was seized upon by birthday boy Doug Watters and his hamstring managed to stay intact long enough to get to the line and dot down for Leiths 4th score. Leith pressed home their advantage as a quick attack down the left hand side and some neat hands from the backs meant that Kenny Dannfald was able to give Jon Derrin the opportunity to burst past a couple of tackles and score with a strong finish over the line.

Northern were then given a chance to attach the Leith line after sloppy tackling let Northern burst into the Leith 22m. An excellent cover tackle from Russell Smith prevented a certain try, however the home team camped in the Leith red zone for an extended period of time but were repelled by some excellent defence. The penalty count was however racking up for the away team and soon Thomas Laurie found himself in the binned for a team offence. A northern try looked odds on however after being thawrted again and again by the determined Leith defence they took the inexplicable decision to attempt a cross field kick straight from the 5m penalty which was easily gathered by Dannfald.

Leith move up the pitch in a sweeping move and instantly got into a scoring position. Smith took the ball in the middle of the field gave it to place who in turn gave Dannfald the chance to skip round the defender in front of him for a score. Northern hit back once again with some strong running with a few minutes to go though it was Leith to have the last laugh. In the final play of the game Leith were still looking for more and it was some slick hands in the backs which allowed centre Richard Hastings to give Dannfald the run in from the 22m to score in the corner.

Full time - Edinburgh Northern - 26 - 47 Leith

Overall a good result and the chance to progress in the Shield. Elements of the performance were very good whilst there were areas which can be improved on prior to our first league outing of the season in Gala next week. Many candidates for man of the match across the pitch Mckinney, Place, Phillips and Paterson were stand outs in the forwards whilst Williamson, Watters and Dannfald had good games in the backs however this week goes to Ollie Main on his debut for good work right across the pitch.

Tries - Wilkinson (2), Dannfald (2), Watters, Williamson, Derrin
Conversions - Dannfald (5)
MoTM - Ollie Main