Following last weeks victory and confirmation into the Top 6, Leith faced current league leaders travelling all the way from Ferry Road – Broughton. Despite losing in the season’s previous encounter Leith were quietly confident of getting something from the game having scored 4 tries in the previous encounter. Due to injury, sickness and unavailability there was some rejigging in the squad with 7 changes in personnel and a few more positional changes on the top of it.

Both sides started the game on a relatively bright note, trying to use the ball despite the poor conditions. The visitors were getting the upper hand and starting to exert some pressure, this was complimented with Leith starting to get on the wrong side of the referee and handing the opponents easy field position. This was first punished through the driving maul followed by another try after some tight work close to the Leith line.

The title contenders weren't going to have it all their own way however and after the early wake up call started to get their act together and string some phases of their own together. A couple of driving mauls from line outs were stopped just short however the pressure eventually told as firstly Broughton’s 6 was sent for a breather before Leith prop Stuart Wilson was able to crash over from 5ms, meaning the game was back within a score following Dannfald’s conversion. This wasn’t to last long however as Broughton hit back in comical circumstances, A kick to nothing through, skidded off the turf towards the try line was met with slips, trips and spills and a try line scramble which resulted in a hacked clearance following into Broughton arms giving them a chance to touch down in the corner.

So at the break Leith found themselves far from out it at 19-7 down, however knowing that in worsening conditions it would take a big shift. This was dealt a further blow as Openside Ollie Main and Inside Centre Eoin Murphy were forced to retire due to injury, meaning Andy MacIntosh came onto the flank while Javier Hervas was deployed into the unfamiliar inside centre role.

Leith began to play more with the conditions and resulted to hoisting the ball into the air and trying to force the errors from the Broughton back 3. It did have some success after Watters put some air on the ball, which resulted in a spill from the Broughton 15 which landed into Dannfald’s arms, however the soft underfoot conditions and pressure from the Broughton defence meaning the attack only got as far as the Broughton 22m

Leith’s challenge in the game was dealt a blow as number 8 Luke McKinney was sent to the Sin Bin on the 50th minute, and then effectively drew to a close on the 58th minute after Broughton made their additional numbers count after some pressure to secure their bonus point try. Play raged between the 22m as both teams battled each other and the conditions as they tried to get an additional foot hold on the game. A lapse in concentration let Broughton through a gap in the middle of the field and go under the posts on the 74th minute before a very well executed length of the field try, including a couple of quick tap penalties brought the games last play to a close.

Full Time – Leith 7 – 38 Broughton

Overall Leith were disappointed with the result, however can have no real complaints as the better side on the day won. The score line may have slightly flattered our opponents as the gap did not feel as big as 31 points however plenty to work on ahead of the visit of Dalkeith in 2 weeks time.

Tries – Stuart Wilson
Conversations – Kenny Dannfald
Serrano Manchego MOTM – Thomas Lawrie