Inverleith 30 - 22 Leith

Match Report by Kenny Dannfald

Leith travelled the short distance to Arboretum Road to face Inverleith in what is normally a hotly contested fixture between the two. Despite the heavy rain through the week the pitch was in good condition meaning both teams could try and play some rugby.

It was Inverleith who had the first opportunity to do this as from the kick off Leith knocked on within their 22m giving the home team an opportunity to attack. Despite some resolute defence, penalties were being conceded as the pressure mounted on Leith’s line. Eventually it was breached with a rumble over from close range being successful, the kick that followed was good and Leith were 7-0 down without yet starting. However Leith did begin to settle into the game as it ebbed and flowed between the 22ms. The away team were next to get on the scoreboard however, from broken play in the middle of the field, Dannfald was able to flick it to the supporting Wilkinson who was able to draw the last man before giving Marwick a flat pass, who was not going to be caught as he burst over the line in the corner.

Dannfald missed the conversion from out wide to make the scores 7-5 but they were not to stay that way for very long. Leith unable to deal with a kick off again immediately invited more pressure upon themselves again but this time conceded a kickable penalty which the home kicker stroked over. Despite looking dangerous on attack Leith had 2 problems, not being able to keep hold of the ball for a sustained period and the concession of needless penalties which gave Inverleith field position for a rolling maul try followed by another penalty on half time making the score 20-5 in favour of the home side.

Leith, starting the 2nd half with 14 men after Jamie Drummond’s late 1st half yellow card, did come out firing. Holding on to the ball for multiple phases and causing the home team to concede penalties. Leith eventually got rewards for their efforts after scrum half Fergal McNamara, took a quick tap to Luke McKinney who was able to burst the first line of Inverleith defence and make it into the 22m. After being dragged to the ground McKinney managed to pop it off the deck to the on rushing McLeish who slid over the line. The conversion brought Leith to within 8 points of their hosts, and despite holding most of the ball for the 2nd half the home side were able to keep Leith at arms lengths with the sides trading unconverted tries. First Dannfald went over in the corner from 5ms out after a flat pass from McNamara put him away. Before McKinney crashed over for a try of his own from a couple of metres which made the final score 30-22.
Overall a frustrating afternoon for the Academy Park men.

On the balance of the game Inverleith were deserved victors, however much like the season so far the game could have been very different were it not for silly penalties and looking after the ball better. However another building block in the season and something the Leithers will learn from going forward.