Leith 12 - 95 Barnton

Leith began their BT East Division 2 campaign with the visit of the newly formed/reformed Barnton RFC, who feature the bulk of the National League Royal High squad from the past few seasons. The men from the west of the city proved too hot for the home side to handle, eventually running up a big score in what was the first of their 20 (?) game procession to an inevitable title.

Leith threw everything they had at their opposition in an opening 30-minute salvo that points to a great deal of potential in this season's squad, taking the lead twice, and defending manfully to keep the visitors out, and half an hour in the scores were 12-12, but as the visitor's clicked, and the home side tired, the away side streaked away, their back row of Dougie Sutherland, Andy Fraser and Anthony Reen, and tigthead Andrew Hicks in particular, wrecking havoc. Good on them - they play some great rugby and couldn't have deserved their win more.

Leith took the lead with a score out wide after some piercing drives from the forwards on the right wing facilitatedand quick ball for the backs to get winger Ross Marwick involved in midfield, and his powerful run and offload to centre Stevie Muirden allowed the debutant to put fullback Kenny Dannfald over in the left corner.

Last season's top try scorer completed his double on the day, finishing off an excellent 10-phase period, after exchanging passes with openside Grant Aitken to go over from 5 metres out, converting his kick for a then 12-7 lead. And then it started raining...