Trinity 36 - 22 Leith

`Report by Nick Andrews

Derby day and another trip to everybody's least favourite part of Edinburgh - Bangholm.

For those who need a refresh, Leith won a nail-biter at the start of the season against Trinity with Ross ‘Magic’ Johnston slotting a conversion from downtown to seal the 27-25 win for the boys in blue.

This fixture is always a physical one, today was no different. Many of the Trinity regulars were on show, as massive as ever. Leith had a reshuffle in the pack and back line due to injuries and work commitments. Magic Johnston was out as he hurt his finger last week against Penicuik and a hurt finger somehow means you can’t kick at goal to win matches anymore, who knew? The Alleteer (Allen and McAteer) back row combo was out in full force and Ross Marwick was in on the wing after some excellent performances for the might 2s over the previous weeks.

Leith kicked off and Trinity immediately made their presence felt. Some hard running from the second rows and back rows were causing the Leith defence some issues. Easy yards were gained and a penalty at the ruck was given away by Leith. Trinity kicked to the corner and the result of the line out was some forward play before Trinity crashed over the line for the first try of the game 2 minutes in. Bullocks. The Trinity kicker slotted the ball through the uprights (as he would do all day long).

Leith hadn’t had possession yet but after a knock on from Trinity at the kick off, Leith had the ball from the scrum. The forwards made the yards before the backs would spread the ball wide. A penalty for Leith would be kicked through the posts by Ben Wilkinson. Trinity 7 - 3.

Leith had gathered some momentum and were applying the pressure on the Trinity defence. Playing down in the Trinity 22, the scrum half for the enemy was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock on. Leith capitalised on this immediately and Dave Sommerville sniped from the ruck and scored the first try for Leith. Ben failed to add the extra 2 points. Leith 8- 7.

Silly errors from Leith kept Trinity in their half and allowing their big runners to make ground. Their kicker added 3 points from the tee and then they were able to cross the try line again after a strong maul from the line out. Trinity 15-8.

Trinity were all over Leith as poor decision making from the boys in blue would repeated result in turnovers. Trinity were able to score another try before the end of the first half. Additional highlights for Leith in the first half was the sexy no look loop pass from Andrews to Baxter and the 80kg winger clearing out the ginger 200kg hooker from a ruck,

Trinity 22-8 at Half Time.

The second half kicked off and Trinity were able to score within minutes again. The Leith tacklers were brushed aside easily and the Trinity forward pack did their job. Trinity 29-8.

The boys in blue had a big uphill struggle ahead. Scott McAteer was tackled high and as a result popped out his collarbone. He was off to hospital.

From the kick off, Leith were able to gain possession and immediately ran the ball. From one side to the other. Ross Marwick collected the ball and ran through some defenders before throwing the pass to Baxter on his outside and the full back ran in to add to his season tally. Ben 10 hit the crossbar, but it went over so the kick was good! Trinity 29-15.

Leith were nearly on the scoreboard again shortly afterwards. The ball made its way to the backs. Josh Campey got the ball away to Jaime Najera-Aleson and he was able to get away an audacious off load to Andrews who got round his man and sprinted up the way. Baxter was on his inside calling for the kick, so Andrews nudged it infield and it just bounced slightly in front of Baxter and resulted in a knock on.

There was little luck for Leith as Trinity were able to cross the line again. The scrum half sniped from the ruck and a nice switch pass to the fly half resulted in another try for the Trinity lads. The conversion was good. Trinity 36-15.

Leith finished the match with a try for Ross Marwick. He had been an extremely strong runner for Leith on the day and was rewarded for his efforts. Ben slotted the touchline conversion again.

Final Score: Trinity 36-22.

Horrible day at the office for Leith. Not an easy pitch to get the win and the home side were deserved victors. They even remembered their Twitter login.

Leith are home to Corstorphine next before a week off due to the Six Nations.

Man of the Match: Ben Wilkinson