Leith hold their nerve

Match Report by Nick Andrews

Following on from a hard fought win against Penicuik last week, Leith were heading down into the belly of the borders to face a league leading Langholm side. Langholm always provide a tough test, especially on their home paddock. Leith had been on the wrong side of some very tight affairs down in Langholm in recent years but on this occasion the Edinburgh lads were hoping to change the narrative.

The day started with a bit of a speed bump when as the team were loading up the bus they were informed that there was to be zero alcohol consumed on the bus. Period. A punch in the gut to the lads as this will surely be the only bus trip of the season for the 1st XV.

The bus pulled into the Langholm ground in very dreich conditions. Wind, rain and cold were what greeted the team as they headed to the changing rooms as kick off was fast approaching.

Leith, donning their centenary jerseys for the second time this season, were to receive the kick off.
The opening exchanges featured lots of possession for the home side as they parked themselves firmly in the Leith half. Leith’s defence set the standard for what would be a defensive performance to remember. The line speed was fast and consistent. Langholm struggled to get to ball out to the wide channels without being under serious pressure. The wet conditions cause many handling errors from the home side.

It wasn’t just the defence from Leith that was looking sharp. The forwards were winning the collisions and making breaks through the Langholm line and allowing captain David Sommerville quick ball from the base. The ball was able to be shipped wide and winger Nick Andrews had a few early opportunities to gain serious ground up the wing. As Coach Kev pointed out post match, had this game been played two years prior, Andrews was scoring on both those opportunities but alas, this was post lockdown Andrews.

Ross Johnston was the main man for Leith in the first half, kicking two penalties (including one from the 50m line) to have Leith firmly in control of the game while ahead 6-0. Marwick was also unlucky in the first half by coming up short while Leith were piling on the pressure.

After 35 minutes of play, the home side got on the scoreboard. Some quick ball from the ruck allowed them to capitalise on the numbers out wide and the Langholm winger found the ball out wide and glided over in the corner for a score that seemingly came out of nowhere. The conversion was well struck and the score now sat at Langholm 7 - 6 Leith.

The hard work of getting the try was almost instantly undone as Langholm conceded a penalty within reach and Ross stepped up and slotted the kick to end the half 9-7 up to Leith.

The second half started like the first half ended, with Leith having the upper hand. It didn’t take long for the boys in blue to click. The ball was being shipped out wide and Felix Palin spun out of a tackle and managed to get a pass away to Ross Marwick on the half way line, who proceeded to break tackles, throw off defenders and even step the last man before outpacing the chasing defenders to score a try of the season contender. Johnston converted to make the score 16-7 to Leith.

Leith would proceed to command the majority of the second half by piling the pressure on the Langholm forward pack, who appeared to be unable to compete with the Leith forwards. Sommerville was causing havoc at the back of the scrum giving his opposite man nightmares for the rest of the season. The Langholm 10 had a few kicks charged down with Leith being close to scoring one of them.
Another Leith opportunity came with a Ross Johnston penalty attempted into the 20mph hour wind. The ball left the tee and was going left and just struck the upright and fell behind the line. The Langholm players stood there and watched the ball and were close to conceding another try when Andrews and Marwick were up to try and put the ball down.

Langholm managed to take back control towards the end of the second half and found themselves with a couple of line outs on the Leith 5m line. Langholm carried hard and eventually managed to find a gap when Andrews was caught out of the line and they managed to get the ball over the line as the tackle of Doug Watters came in. The conversion fell short.

Leith 16-12.

Langholm looked like they had one last Hail Mary play in the bag before games end. The scrum half, who Sommerville had been terrorising all game, managed to get the better of his opposite man for one play. He managed to shrug off a tackle and make a break up the pitch. Gus Weir stood between him and the try line. The scrum half had one man on his shoulder supporting. Gus committed to his tackle and hit the scrum half, not before the ball was passed to the centre. Andrews had tracked him from the break and as soon as the ball landed in his hands, Andrews made the tackle and forced the knock on. Leith did enough to see out the final minute and finish the match 16-12.

Man of the Match: Ross Johnston