“The game will 100% not be on. I am the President’s son and I can assure you that no one will be playing rugby tomorrow morning.” - Russell Smith, 5 Guinness in, on Friday Night.

The game was on.

Leith had already encountered Livingston this season on opening day in the Cup. Walking away with a win that day, Leith were looking to have a similar result today. The pitch was in surprisingly good condition, except for one corner which resembled the giant pile of dinosaur sh*t from Jurassic Park. The sun was shining but the chill in the air was very apparent. Leith had a strong warm up and were raring to go. The referee had made an appearance with 15 minutes to go until kick off. Leith feared the worst.. that Coach Kev would have to referee the game. All hope was lost until the ref appeared on the horizon. Leith were jubilant and Kev put his whistle back in his pocket.

Leith received the ball and the forwards began their shift, which would prove to be a bloody great shift. Both packs were setting the standard early with some large hits and powerful carries.

Ill discipline allowed Leith great field position as they found themselves down in the Livingston 22. The order of the day for Leith would be handling errors. Costly dropped balls allowed Livingston a platform to clear their lines. Before long Livingston were in the driving seat and Leith were defending in their 22. Some quick hands from Livingston saw the ball shipped wide and the full back charged up the wing. A score was imminent, however Leith full back Kenny Dannfald tackled him short before the supporting cast arrived to ensure the ball was held up. Livingston won the scrum but knocked on which allowed Ferghal McNamara to clear the lines. The Livingston full back wasn’t able to gather the clearance kick and Leith found themselves with a scrum on half way.

Leith won the scrum and began to string some phases together before another unfortunate turnover. Livingston were quick to react and shipped the ball wide. Nick Andrews, the tactical genius, was able to decipher the complex Livingston playbook. Channelling his inner David Sommerville, he plucked the Livingston fly half's pass from the air and charged towards the try line. Andrews, definitely not weighed down by large volumes of Guinness from the night before, didn’t have the pace to outrun the cover defence who managed to tackle him into touch.

Leith were able to win the line out and get the ball through the hands. Amounting phase after phase, the ball was shipped to the backs. Ross Johnston gave a short pass to Josh Campey on a tight line who broke a tackle. Unleashing a ridiculous offload, the ball ricocheted off a Livingston player and full into the hands of Ritchie who proceed to fall over the line for the score. Ross Johnston added the conversion. Leith 7-0.

The Leith forward pack were asserting their dominance over their Livingston counterparts. Neil Paterson was making his presence felt with some strong carrying and some solid defence.

Half Time: Leith 7-0

This game proved to be a game where a lot happened, but also not very much happened. The forwards had been controlling the proceedings. The Livingston players were getting frustrated and after being walked back 30m by the referee, one of them did a David Sommerville (talked back to the referee) and was shown the cheese. Ten in the Bin for the chatterbox. Leith weren’t able to capitalise during the sin bin period as the scoreline remained unchanged.

Leith had a promising opportunity when Scott McAteer gave a well timed pass to Andrews on the wing who beat his man and ran down the sideline. Trying to find a spot to pass the ball back inside to Scott, Andrews did not see the full back lying in wait who proceeded to smash Andrews backwards.

The most impressive period of the second half came when Livingston was pressing on the Leith 5m line. After repeated scrum penalties against Leith, Livingston were able to spend nearly 20 minutes down by the Leith line. Captain Jamie Drummond leading the charge with serial tacklers, Craig Allan and Scott McAteer, not allowing anything through. Livingston huffed, and they puffed but the Brick wall that is the Leith defensive line would not be blown down. The Leith boys attempted one more scrum and thankfully the penalty was awarded to Leith. Johnston was able to boot it up the field. Leith were happy to welcome back Ruairi Morrison who had been galavanting in Aberdeen all season.

Leith finally made in into the Redzone during the second half but the visit was short lived. Or was it? Livingston cleared their lines but the ball was taken on the half way line very gracefully by Neil Paterson. Neil casually sauntered towards the nearest defender, drew him, then popped a sexy pass to Josh Campey running another barn storming run. Josh broke one. No two. No three. NO FOUR tackles as he made his way to the try line. He was eventually tackled. Thankfully he was over the try line by this point. An Excellent score. The backs and forwards working together in harmony. Ross with the extras. Leith 14-0.

Livingston were putting up a good fight but their weakened team were begging to keep up with the Leith fitness. The lack of subs available to Livingston made their task that little bit harder. The Ref blew the final whistle minutes after Josh’s try and ended the game.

An extremely hard day at the office for both outfits. Leith were deserved winners but are fully aware that Livingston will be a much tougher outfit on their home paddock later on in the season. A match both teams are looking forward to.

Final Score; Leith 14-0.

Man of the Match: PC Neil Paterson.

Special Mention to Leith’s own Marcos Teixeira is leaving us to head back to Madrid to continue his career as a journalist. Marcos has been with Leith the passed couple of years and has cemented himself as a true member of the club. Always one to be present at the club, whether he is behind the bar or in front of the bar, he has always been one of the friendliest and hilarious members of the team. He will be missed and we all wish him the best with what the future has in store for him!