Penicuik 10 - 17 Leith

Match Report by Kev Greenan

Leith were on the road again, with a trip to Penicuik, and were looking to get back to winning ways after the disappointment of losing their last game of 2019 at Langholm and the disappointment of last week's postponement.

Leith started off well with some good ball carrying from their forwards who made good ground. This gave the backs their first opportunity to run with the ball. Andrew Paterson made a break up the wing but was tackled in to touch 8 meters short of the try line. Penicuik tried to clear their lines from the line out but the kick went straight to Leith’s full back Andrew Baxter who ran at the Penicuik attack line and put in a nice chip and chace. The Penicuik full back took Baxter out while he was in the air. No Yellow card just a penalty. Leith kicked to touch. The line out was good with the forwards retaining the ball. They were just short off the try line. But as Leith were resetting the ruck, the Penicuik no6 appeared to kick out at Jamie Drummond. The Referee saw the kick but only gave a yellow card. Leith decided they would tap and go. Captain for the day Neil Paterson was stopped short but quick ball allowed scrumhlaf David Somerville to pop the ball to marauding tighthead Bruce Connelly to cross the try line. Conversion was good from Ross Johnston. 0-7.

Leith were trying to put a couple off phases together, but to their frustration the referee blew the whistle saying Leith had sealed off the ball to the amazement of the players.

Leith had a scrum on Penicuik’s ten metere line. They had a preplanned move and it came off perfectly allowing Baxter to score Leith’s second try off a delicous inside flick from Sommerville. Conversion was good from Johnston. 0-14.

Leith continued to get frustrated by some of the referees decisions as they could not set up any attacking opportunities from the ruck area as the Penicuik players were constantly off their feet. With half time approaching Leith thought they had done enough to keep a clean sheet, but after Josh Campey was yellow carded for being on the wrong side off the ruck - the opposing scrum half clearly throwing the ball at him when he was on the ground and not interfering with play - the penalty kick was successful 3-14 at half time.

Some calming words from Coach Greenan was needed to stop players frustrations. Penicuik took advantage of Leith being down to 14 men making a break up the wing to score, con good. 10-14.

Once Leith were back to full strength they tried to take back control of the game. They were rewarded with a penalty 20 meters out. Johnston was good with the kick for posts. 10-17.

The game erupted again with 15 mins to play. Leith were attacking inside the Penicuik 22. Unfortunately the referee penalised Leith for going off their feet at the ruck. The Penicuik No4 did not like something and pushed Paul Haggon. The referee blew the whistle but the Penicuik player threw a punch at Haggon who did not retaliate. Straight red card. Leith decided again to run the ball, but not all the forwards were ready when the tap and pass was made. Penicuik managed to isolate Ivan Acosta and turn over the ball and Penicuik made a break from their 22 with the winger putting in a kick and chase. Leith seemed to have it covered but the Referee blew his whistle and awarded a double penalty, that saw Winto getting a yellow card for an apparent shoulder barge. Penicuik tried to keep the ball alive. But Leith’s defence was strong again resulting in Neil Paterson targeting the ball. It seemed the referee would award a penalty for holding on but instead penalised Paterson for going off his feet when the Penicuik player pulled him down. Penicuik ran the resulting penalty. But Leith were determined not to lose the game and this was shown when it looked like the Penicuik player would score in the corner. Unfortunately for him a blue and white wall hammered him in to touch before he could ground the ball. The referee blew the final whistle to end a frustrating day for the players and coach.

MOTM was Dave Somerville who controlled the contact area as well as possible on the day