Leith bounce back at Penicuik

Match Report by Kev Greenan

Leith were looking to get back to winning ways after last week's disappointing defeat to Corstorphine. They started out putting Penicuik under pressure right from the kick off forcing them to knock on the ball, and Leith played the advantage working the ball well with the forwards. This gave a good platform for the backs to create the over lap and slick hands from the centres released Smith who fixed the winger then passed to Baxter for a walk-in try. Conversion was good from Johnston. O-7.

The hosts gave away a penalty in front off their posts Johnston was good with the kick. 0-10. P

enicuik came back at Leith with their 13 cutting back inside he found some space and ran in for the try con good 7-10.

Both teams kept the ball close working hard at the breakdown. Leith worked good play in to the Penicuik 22. The ruck was good allowing quick ball Johnston passed to Somerville. He had three outside him but saw the Penicuik defence drift before throwing a massive dummy to run in unopposed for Leith’s 2nd try, con good Johnston.7-17.

Penicuik kept pressing a good Leith defence. Unfortunately they strayed offside and the Penicuik No9 took a quick tap with the Leith defence turning their backs on the ball allowing him in for Penicuik’s second try. 12-17. Leith we’re getting frustrated as they were penalised again for holding on. Kick was good Penicuik. 15-17. Leith continued to work hard at their structure. But we’re judged to be holding on again when there was no clear release from the Penicuik tackler. Penalty kick good 18-17. Another holding on call gave Penicuik the last score of the first half with a successful kick. Half time 21-17.

Leith now had the wind behind them going down the slope. Unfortunately they were not clinical enough to take advantage until the 63 min when Smith made a break and was tackled on the 22 but good support from the forwards allowed the move to continue with quick pick and goes forcing Penicuik to stray offside. Captain Paterson took a quick tap and passed to Allan to cross for Leith’s third try. Con good Johnston.21-24.

Penicuik had the opportunity to get back on level terms but miss the penalty kick. Leith continued to create more scoring opportunities unfortunately the final pass was not good enough with the try line begging to be crossed. Eventually Leith got the bonus point try after good work again from the forwards. Penicuik looked to have scrambled their defence enough to slow down the ball but quick work from Somerville switched play releasing Dannfld who gave a good pass to Campey to score in the corner. This was the last score of the game final score 21-29.

MOTM Fraser Forsyth with some strong ball carrying and great defence.