Dunbar 36 - 35 Leith

Match Report by Kev Greenan

Leith knew they had to get a bonus point win to secure second place and promotion. It looked good for them when they were awarded a penalty in the 8th minute. Ben Wilkinson was successful with the kick. 0-3. This relaxed Leith and they went on the offensive again. Neil Paterson turned over ball at the ruck, he carried forward passing to Andrew Baxter who was tackled short. He had the presence off mind (like Finn Russell) to pop the ball to Craig Williamson who was running a good support line to touch down for the first try. Wilkinson was successful with the conversion. 0-10. A lapse in concentration allowed Dunbar to cross Leith’s try line, conversion was good.7-10.

Leith put Dunbar under more pressure in their 22. The Dunbar No12 saw space behind he put in a chip kick. But Nick Andrews read it well he caught the ball stepped inside two players before putting Dave Somerville in for Leith’s second try. 7-15. Dunbar got back in to the game with their second try just before half time. Con good 14-15.

From the restart Dunbar secured the ball. A good exit kick from their 15 looked to be covered by Luke. But he knocked the ball on. From the resulting scrum Dunbar crossed Leith’s try line to take the lead. 19-15. It did not take Leith long to regain the lead. A good break from Craig Williamson created space for Craig Smith, good cover defence from Dunbar stopped him five meters short but MOTM Jamie Drummond was on hand to score. Wilkinson was successful with the conversion. 19-22.

Dunbar secured their bonus point when they crossed Leith’s try line again for the fourth time Con good. 26-22. Leith were awarded a penalty Wilkinson was successful with the kick making it a one point game. 26-25. Leith secured their bonus point after Craig Smith crossed the try line 26-30. With 10 mins to play Leith gave away a penalty at the ruck in front of their posts. Dunbar were successful with the kick. 29-30. Dunbar scored their fifth try with the conversion good. 36-30.

Leith were not done with four minutes to go Neil Paterson appeared to cross Dunbar’s try line under the posts. But he was just short. Dunbar’s No12 infringed off his feet to kill the ball. Leith looked for the penalty try but it was only a yellow card and a penalty. Leith decided to tap and go but went wider than they hoped. Dunbar strayed offside again with Leith playing the advantage Luke crossed the try line in the 78th minute. Unfortunately the conversion went just wide. 36-35. Leith took the ball from the restart and worked down the centre of the pitch. With the clock passed the 80th minute. They knew they still had a chance. Unfortunately as they got in to Dunbar’s half, the ball was held up in a maul and Leith were unable to retrieve it. Final score 36-35.

Congratulations to MOTM Jamie Drummond for his excellent defence and a try to boot.