Agonising loss at Recreation Park

Match Report by Kevin Greenan

Leith were hoping to reverse the home result. They started off really well putting NB under pressure with strong defence. Forcing them in to errors. This allowed Leith to kick the ball on with Smith chasing he needed another kick of the ball to get away from the defender and touch down for the first try of the game. Con good from Johnston. 0-7. NB tried again to break Leith’s defensive line but again Leith stood up to the challenge. They managed to turn over the ball and a nice kick through from Smith had Baxter chasing. He was about to touch down but was pulled back. Smith was on hand again to touch down for Leith’s second try. Con good Johnston. 0-14. Leith backs were enjoying the ball they were giving and some quick passing from the centres released Marwick who was eventually tackled in to touch 10 meters out. Leith’s back created space again with Pat tackled on the 5 meter line. The forwards were there to secure ball. They were doing quick pick and goes but rushed it and the ball was knocked on. NB ran the ball out and we’re eventually tackled on the half way line to stop their attack penalty Leith for holding on. NB did get to the Leith try line and were tackled short. It looked like the ref was going to blow for held up. But he allowed the play to continue. The ball appeared to pop out the side with Drummond pouncing on it to secure the ball. Unfortunately for Leith the ref awarded NB a penalty they took a tap and scored 7-14. HT

NB started really well after half time crossing Leith’s try line again. 12-14. Leith were getting frustrated as the ref was penalising them at the contact when it seemed it should have gone the other way. NB were tackled short of Leith’s try line. It appeared the NB touch judge put up his flag. The ref did not see this and NB scored the try after recycling the ball. The touch judge appeared to then take down his flag to much frustration from Leith players and coaches. 19-14. Leith kept up their work rate from the forwards the free quick ball to the back release Marcus Charlseworth he was going for the corner unfortunately the NB fullback tackled him high. Resulting in a yellow card and a penalty try. 19-21. Leith were starting to tire due to lack of games this showed in the last 10 mins. It appeared Leith were being awarded a penalty due to NB infringement at the maul but the ref played on and Leith lost the ball NB attacked finding miss matches in Leith’s Tiring defence going over for the bonus try. 24-21 With the clock going in to the last minute Leith won the ball against the head at the scrum. They broke away unfortunately the final pass was to far in front of the support player opportunity missed. Final score 24-21.

MOTM Craig Smith for his two tries.