North Berwick made their way down the road (and down a league) to visit Academy Park to take on Leith. These two outfits are shaping up to be the title contenders.

It was a great day for some running rugby. Leith had made some changes in both the pack and their backline. North Berwick would bring a young team with a lot of pace and skill. Leith would be looking to dominate in the forwards.

North Berwick got proceedings underway and after some early handling errors from the home side, the East Lothian team were able to strike. The North Berwick fly half was able to move the ball around efficiently and after some quick ball from the ruck the North Berwick backline were able to ship the ball wide. Former North Berwick juggernaut, Nick Andrews, found himself against three North Berwick players and was obviously unable to stop the attack. The winger ran in for North Berwick’s first score of the game. A shaky start for the boys in blue.

Leith kicked off and were quickly awarded a penalty. Wilkinson put the ball in the corner and let the forwards show their size and power. A successful lineout resulted in the forwards picking and going at the line. It wasn’t long before the Leith bulk overcame the defence and Neil Paterson crossed the whitewash. Ben Ten made the conversion. Leith 7 North Berwick 7.

Leith were next on the score board after a penalty from Wilkinson making the score 10- 7 to Leith.

Andrews had a difficult day at the office with North Berwick running another try on his wing. The North Berwick team were exceptional in sucking in the Leith defence and creating space out wide. The winger dived for the corner and Andrew Baxter was unlucky not to get him into touch before the try was scored. North Berwick 12-10.

Baxter was looking dangerous every time he got the ball. A well placed kick into the 22 and a grubber through looked exciting for the full back. However, he was blatantly taken out by the North Berwick scrum half. The referee had obviously been watching the Andrew Baxter highlights on Youporn and assumed he would have scored. He awarded the Penalty try. Thankfully it doesn’t count towards Baxter’s total try count for the season! Leith 17 – 10.

North Berwick weren’t finished and scored a wonderful length of the pitch try on the stroke of half time! They managed to manipulate the defence again and took the ball wide. Some slick handling and supporting lines from the North Berwick half backs resulted in a score under the posts. North Berwick 19-17.

Leith scored almost immediately after the half through another forward bombardment. Ivan the lucky recipient of the score. Leith 22 – 17.

Unfortunately that would be Leith for the day. North Berwick had a little more to say. Another try out wide brought the score to North Berwick 24 – 22.
North Berwick were able to score a try through their forwards taking the score to North Berwick 29-22.

Leith were unlucky to give away a goal line penalty on 80 mins that the North Berwick captain chose to take the 3 points, robbing Leith of a losing bonus point.

Final Score 32-22.

Craig Allan put in a shift and was awarded Man of the Match for Leith. Scott McAteer is a once again a nobody.

Leith didn’t show up to the races today and North Berwick were deserved winners. The return fixture later on in the year will be an exciting prospect for both teams and a huge challenge for the Leith men.
Andrews explored the option of joining North Berwick again after the game but was told “we aren’t that desperate for players.”

Best of luck to them for the rest of the season.