Leith bouce back with victory in Penicuik

A big performance was going to be required if Leith were going to bounce back from last weeks defeat at home to the hands of Gala YM and the boys knew there would be no tougher place to go than Penicuik to try and get that victory required to get the season back on track. A soft going track and a persistent drizzle starting from the warm up was going to make that ask all the more difficult.

However despite this Leith started brightly, very brightly with a try in what must have been the opening 90 secs of the game. Upon receipt of the kick off Leith retained possession without making many yards in the first few phases before numbers were exposed on the blindside. This allowed Paul Haggon to pass off to Ross Marwick who burst up the touchline evading a number of would be tacklers on his way into the 22m, with a number of defenders covering across Ross made the simple pass inside to the supporting Andrew Baxter who had a simple run into the corner. Dannfald converted the score, however the joy was short lived. Leith unable to deal with the kick off effectively handing scrum possession over to the home team, who were able to execute a backs move and send their centre through the gap and across the try line. And it wouldn’t be much longer until the scores were added to again, Leith got into their structure in the and after a good number of carries the backs were able to switch the play and exploit some space, Dannfald running through the gap before feeding Craig Williamson who was able to run into the line. After that frantic opening, Leith were 7 points up with the scores at 12-5.

The game did settle after that, with the 2 teams looking to get field position and possession to make that all important next score. Leith were looking a lot more likely, a number of Penicuik penalties had allowed the away team to make in roads into the Penicuik red zone, The maul was functioning well but were unable to get the momentum required to get over the line. However, Penicuik were unable to clear their lines and under some penalty advantage Leith were able to sling the ball wide with Baxter putting the dancing feet of Andrew Paterson in some space to beat his man and get across the line, Sommerville this time adding the extras. Whilst Leith did deal with the restart better this time, the concession of penalties allowed Penicuik themselves to work up the pitch and start put pressure on the Leith line. Some good defence from the likes of Allan, Homer and Teixira, repelled the attacks back but once again the Penicuik centre hit an inside line to dot down under the posts.

The Leithers took the game right back to them and with halftime looming looking to get back onto the scoreboard. Sommerville missed an attempt at goal but Leith were in the right areas and in the last play of the half after the forwards led by the 2 Stuart Wilsons and Reece Barclay up front rumbled up front, the ball was moved wide where Kah Kaihe was able to slip past his defender before giving the pass to the onrushing Baxter who got over the line for his 2nd and Leith’s bonus point try. Sommerville did convert to bring the half time whistle. With the scores at 26-12, a big 20 minutes would be required to snuff out any hopes the home team had of the points. However that did not quite go to plan. Much like in the first half there was a score in the opening minutes and it was not the way the travelling support had hoped for. With a number of good offloads, Penicuik were able to work up the short side and after evading some tackles into the 22m, allowing their player to dot down right in the corner, very close to the touchline……

Thankfully unlike in the first half we didn’t see a repeat of another couple of scores and the game settled down mostly to be played between the 22ms, with the home team chasing a score which would bring them right back into the game. Leith were able to repell the attacks and the introduction of Drummond, Neil Paterson and Kirkwood brought some energy to the defensive effort. Things did get worse for the away team as they were reduced to 14 men for the last 16 minutes of the game as Fraser Forsyth was sent off after a tangle with the Penicuik number 22. It was looking like it could have been back to the wall to see out the victory but the new half back pairing of McNamara and Wilkinson were controlling the game well and playing in the right areas. However just when we were settling in for 10 minutes of watching from behind our fingers, winger Ross Marwick had a beautiful read on a Penicuik attack and was able to intercept the floated pass and sprint in from deep in his own half. Wilkinson adding the extras. From here Leith were able to close the threat out of the home team, the only final score coming when Leith got sloppy when the cloack was in red and allowed Penicuik to score their 4th and bonus point try.

Overall a good victory for Leith and good to get back to winning ways at what is always a very difficult place to visit when you are looking to get a victory so the manner the team went about their business is very pleasing. A number of good performances across the pitch for the hard working of the forwards, the control of the half backs and the expansive work and scoring of the outside backs. Leith will need to be fully switched on for next weeks visit of Edinburgh Uni Medics, who are still without a win in the division however are scoring a number of points in defeat so can be very dangerous!