Leith 33 - 46 Hawick Linden

Leith were looking to get off to a winning start in 2019 welcoming league leaders Hawick Linden to Academy Park.
The game started evenly matched with both defences working well. Leith were forced into an early change after Andrew Paterson broke down the wing but a good tackle from Hawick’s fullback resulted in Pat twisting awkwardly and he was forced to leave the field with a knee injury.
Leith controlled the ball well around the ruck allowing the backs to break away, but the passing was too slow allowing the Hawick backs to recover and stop the attack.

Leith were working hard to play in the right areas but the Hawick No10 kicked well, repeatedly putting the ball behind Leith forcing them backwards. The game changed on the half hour when the Hawick full back put in an up an under. Leith’s full back Andrew Baxter seemed to have it covered but the ball bounced in front off him and over his head allowing the Hawick support runner to catch the ball and score between the posts. 0-7.

Leith went back on the offensive and after good work from the forwards made it in to Hawick’s 22 wher3 they created ab overlap. However men down the Hawick winger gambled on the interception and cut out Craig Williamson's pass to sprint the length of the field to score. 0-14. To compound matters, Williamson damaged his hamstring on the chase.
Shortly after Hawick had a lineout just outside Leiths 22 and set up a maul but good defensive work disrupted it, only for Hawick to send the ball wide with the winger scoring in the corner. 0-19 Half time.

The half time talk from Leith’s Coach Kev seemed to have an effect. As Leith were straight on the offensive and workes the ball into Hawick’s 22, but a high tackle on Leiths No10 Kenny Dannfald gave them a penalty. Kenny got up to brush off the head knock and kicked to touch. From the resulting lineout move Leith were tackled 20 meters out, but good recycling from the forwards took the ball in again sucking in the Hawick defenders. The ball came out to Dannfald who crashed over to score. Conversion good from Dannfald for 7-19.

Leith now had their tails up and more great work from the forwards broke the gainline with Hawick’s defence scrambling back. But quick ball again allowed Dannfald in for his second try, convertes for 14-19. Leith were looking good but another tactical kick from Hawick that Leith were unable to deal with, resulted in Hawick going over for their fourth try. 14-24. Leith worked hard to try and get back in the game but gave away a penalty their 22. Hawick went for the points with a successful kick. 14-27.

Leith continued to to work hard with the ball moving the Hawick defence around and after a great lineout snipe from replacement scrumhalf Fergal MacNamara, who was brought down just short, his pop found debutant Sean Crombie who dived over the line for his first try for Leith. 19-27.

Once again Leith were on the front foot but poor ball retention allowed Hawick to strip the ball, and a quick passing phase put them in the corner for a score. 19-32. Leith showed their resilience again when Dannfald fed David Sommerville who crashed through tacklers to score, and secure the bonus point try for Leith. Con good from Ben Wilkinson for 26-32.

The game was hanging in the balance with 10 mins to go. Hawick broke the Leith defence a great cover tackle from Sommerville seemed to stop a certain try but Hawick had good supporting runners who got the ball to cross the tryline con good 26-39.

Leith did not let their head to go down resulting in another surge, and Watters fed Michele Crolla, who beat the cover defence, dummying Wilkinson in the process and ran in under the posts. Con good Wilkinson. 33-39. With time running out Leith tried to go on the attack again but they were reduced to 14 men when substitute Paul Haggon was yellow carded for a tip tackle. This gave Hawick the advantage now resulting in them crossing Leith’s try line for a final time - con good. 33-46. Leith still pushed to try and get the score for a losing bonus point but Hawick manage to keep Leith out. Final score 33-46.