Heavy loss to Berwick

Torrential rain in the days leading up to and on game day meant this fixture was in serious doubt up until kick-off. However due to our visitors long journey up the coast and the fact Leith were putting two sides out for the first time in nearly 10 years added to the determination to ensure the game went ahead. With conditions underfoot wet at best (and in some areas, submerged by water) both sides knew it would be difficult to play the kind of expansive rugby they have been trying to play all season.

During the opening exchanges it became apparent Berwick’s organisation, discipline and game plan were going to be difficult to live with, and after competing well with our visitors for the first 5 minutes of the game and breaking into their 22m a few mistakes allowed Berwick to clear their lines and after kicking a penalty to touch in the Leith 22, the resulting catch, drive and pressure proved too much for Leith as the Berwick forwards went over in the corner.

Leith refused to submit quietly however and started to put some more pressure on Berwick from the restart. Good line speed from the backs and a big tackle from Ryan Burgess resulted in the Berwick 10's off load going astray and Doug Watters intercepted and was able to get into the corner for his first try of the season (has taken long enough!). The resultant kick was missed making the score 5-5.

Leith were holding their own in many areas of the park, however our opposition were able to put phases together and little by little starting to cut through the Leith defence. Slick play by Berwick and poor first up D from Leith allowed our visitors to score a few more tries and secure the bonus point on the half hour mark. Despite losing tries Leith didn’t fold and tried whereever possible to get hands on the ball and try and work through some phases of rugby. Mark Phillips and Colin Marshall again led the charge in the forwards trying to secure a platform for the backs to work from. To an extent it was working but Leith’s cause wasn’t help when veteran hooker Willie Cook was sent to the bin following persistent infringement from Leith. This aided in Berwick scoring another couple of tries before the break, including an excellent sweeping move to score in the corner.

The Academy Park men finished the first half with 14 men and a few tries down but with thoughts that they could turn a few things round in the 2nd 40 and at least put on a show for the support who had braved the puddles/ sleet/ wind and rain on the side-lines. However Berwick had other ideas and put Leith to the sword early on in the 2nd half. Leith did contribute to their own downfall with poor decision making and a misfiring set piece. However to the home side's credit they stuck in and again put pressure on Berwick trying to get another score and something to cheer about, whilst blooding a couple of new players in Ross Marwick and Callum Munro. However no further home score was to come and with Academy Park turning into a mud bath the game wasn’t much of a spectacle and mistakes were creeping in from both sides. Leith were once again to finish a half with 14 men as scrum half Ryan Burgess got sin binned for feeding at the scrum! The game duly ended 67-5 to the visitors, who deservedly secured promotion.

On the face of it a disappointing day. However, on a historic day in the club's development our visitors provided us with some idea of the rugby that we should be seeking to emulate at Academy Park over the coming seasons. Nothing is stopping us becoming as successful as Berwick if we put in the hard work and dedication required to make the next step up, especially now 2nd XV rugby will be coming to Academy Park!!

Scorers:

Try - Doug Watters

Man of the Match - Doug Watters

Team:

15 Kenny Dannfald, 14 Toban Hunt, 13 Dave Robertson, 12 Doug Watters (c), 11 Chris Johnson, 10 Craig Smith, 9 Ryan Burgess

1 Cal McKay, 2 Willie Cook, 3 Colin Marshall, 4 Neil Paterson, 5 Mark Phillips, 6 Pete Mitchell, 7 Greg Hancock, 8 Andy MacIntosh

16 Craig Winton, 17 Robert Stitt, 18 Ben Place, 19 Doddie McHardy, 20 David Meadows, 21 Callum Munro, 22 Ross Marwick