Lessons learned away to the Champions

Following last weeks disappointing defeat to Berwick, Leith travelled to Dalkeith to play the league champions, hoping to make amends and put in a more committed performance.

The match followed much of the same script as our previous weeks defeat to Berwick. On a heavy pitch with bad weather in coming, Leith were unable to contain the early onslaught from the home side and eventually conceded the fist try of the game as numbers in defence eventually ran out on the outside. However, also similar to last week Leith were to level the scores following an interception, this time picked off by Craig Smith. The conversion meant the scores were 7 a-piece.

Leith were put under pressure and conceded several tries to Dalkeith's strong running lines, however the inside defenders switching off despite knowing where the threats were was also disappointing. A couple of missed first-up tackles allowed the Dalkeith centres to run the show. More positively, the set piece was functioning much better than in previous weeks despite our pack missing several 'regulars'.

Despite being quite a few points down Leith were still sticking in and keeping the heads up, looking to attack Dalkeith whenever they could. Our efforts were rewarded as Craig Smith’s ‘Go – Go Gadget Arms’ were once again in use as he scooped another interception to cross the line for his 2nd try of the game. Ross Marwick then capped a good first start by getting on the scoreboard for his first Leith try, the big outside centre burst through a couple tackles and showed a good turn of pace to get over in the corner. Despite the rest of the game mostly being played between the 22s, Dalkeith ran in a couple more tries, mostly out wide as the holes in the centre were finally shored up. The Dalkeith stand-offs near faultless boot (8 from 10) ensured the scoreboard raced away from the visitors. We weren't without our own opportunities however, but too often the execution wasn’t quite there. Craig Smith eyes lit up as he thought he was in for a hat trick of intercept tries but he was stopped on the way to the line. The game finished 68 – 19.

Overall it was a trying afternoon and again another example of the level we can get to if we put in the work and effort. There were several positives to be worked on including the pressure we put on in defence which led to mistakes, individual performances in an inexperienced pack and always looking to attack on the outside. Overall the most telling point from the day was that we were disappointed and perhaps unlucky not to come away from Dalkeith with a try bonus point. Not many can say that this season, as the Midlothian side have swept all before them to be worthy champions.

Scorers:

Tries – Craig Smith (2), Ross Marwick

Conv – Doug Watters (2)

MOTM – Craig Smith

Team:

15 Kenny Dannfald, 14 Craig Smith, 13 Ross Marwick, 12 Doug Watters (c), 11 Chris Johnson, 10 Ben Wilkinson, 9 Ryan Burgess.

1 Robert Stitt, 2 Willie Cook, 3 Paul Allison, 4 Neil Paterson, 5 Mark Phillips (vc), 6 Rory Clarke, 7 David Meadows, 8 Cal McKay.

16 Craig Winton, 17 David Montgomery, 18 Jamie Martin, 19 Ben Place, 20 Keith Aitchison, 21 Dave Robertson, 22 Steven Eadie.