Leith were 1-1 at home this season after a last gasp win against Trinity and a tough loss to title favourites, North Berwick, just a fortnight ago. Looking to make their home record 2-1, Leith welcomed regular foes, Penicuik, to Academy Park. Penicuik always brought a massive physical presence to any game against Leith, so the boys knew that they were going to be in for a war.

Leith have not been able to field the same starting XV at all this season, which has resulted in some slow starts in recent games. This game would not be any different. Shortly after the game was underway, Penicuik were able to ship the ball wide and a poor defensive decision followed by a missed tackle by TK Maxx on the wing allowed the Penicuik winger charge up the line and score with only minutes on the clock. Leith weren’t switched on and the orders to get focussed came from the side line.

This was to no avail as after 5 minutes, Leith found themselves under their own posts again watching the Penicuik full back slot this second conversion attempt. 12-0 Penicuik.

Leith began to find a bit of continuity. Phases were being strung together and yards were being gained. The ball was called for on the wing and Josh Campey sent Will “2nd XV traitor” Tuft through a gap. Will drew the last defender and threw a pass to Shaun Guesford on the wing. Unfortunately, the pass was classic 2nd XV and didn’t go to hand. Opportunity missed.

The physicality was being felt on the pitch, with thunderous tackles being made and some brilliant tight forwards play. It would be the forwards that got Leith on the scoreboard first. Leith settled themselves in the Penicuik 5m channel and started to bombard the line with some quick-fire pick and goes. The defence held strong initially, but it was the Spaniard, Chef Marcos, who found the whitewash. Marcos will be Andrew Baxter’s main competition in the try scoring competition this season and the whole team are fully behind Marcos! Ben Wilkinson nailed the conversion. 12-7 Penicuik.

Minutes later, Leith were on the attack again. An offensive lineout was won in the 22 and Paul Haggon ran a superb line straight through the defence and sprinted under the post. Now, what happened next will be debated for the rest of Haggon’s life. Some say he was stripped of the ball over the line, others say he dropped it. Regardless of what actually transpired, the ball was “knocked on” and Penicuik were awarded the 22m dropout.

The first half performance from Leith had been very subpar to this point. Coach Kev was losing what little hair he has left and I’m sure I heard his voice break at one point. The half time team talk would not be pleasant. The rest of the half only added more fuel to the fire that was Crazy Kev.

With 5 minutes left to play in the first half the Leith forwards were in a similar position to when they scored their first try. The forwards were attacking the line but in this instance the defence was holding fast. As the clock “went red” the ball was taken from the forwards possession and fired out to the backs. The ball found it’s was to Josh who passed it wide to Shaun on the wing for the walk-in score. The ball wasn’t the easiest to gather and Shaun was unable to control it and it spilled forward. Kev threw his notebook into the ground and the side line were all stunned.

Half Time: Penicuik 12-7.

A game of two halves is such a cliché, but in this instance, it is very appropriate.

It took only 4 minutes from the kickoff for Leith to level the score. A penalty resulted in Leith having an attacking lineout on the Penicuik 5m line. The forwards mauled the ball and Chef crossed for his second of the day!

Leith 12-12

Penicuik who had been in full control of the game in the first half began to slowly lose their grip. The next score came as a result of some great defensive pressure from the Leith backs. The Penicuik player took their eye off the ball and the ball went loose. Ben 10 was able to pick up the ball and out sprint the opponents under the post. Ben converted his own try.

Leith 19-12.

Leith now had the game for the taking. On his return from an MCL tear, 1st XV regular Andrew Paterson, exploited the size and strength mismatch on his wing. Leith made their way down the field with the forwards commanding the contact area. The Penicuik defence were sucked in and the backs used the ball wide. Josh was once again on hand to deliver the final pass. He gave the ball to Pat who charged into his defender, knocking him on his arse, and fell over the try line for the score. Ben with another conversion!

Leith 26-12.

Penicuik weren’t giving up though. They had been on the end of some tough calls from the referee throughout the game but the found a score through their fly half Sean Thomson to keep the game alive.

Leith 26-19.

Leith were going to finish with one last score of their own. Penicuik attempted to chip the ball over the defensive line, but the ball went too long. Dave Sommerville was in the 15 jersey for this game and had his group of cheerleaders on the side line watching. He knew he had to do something for the fans. He gathered the loose ball and began to sprint through the gap that Andrews helped create. Dave ran 5m before beginning run out of fuel. He managed to power on before offloading to Josh Campey. Josh had been having a breather in the middle of the field but found himself having to run in the final try of the game and sealing his man of the match performance. Ben with the conversion.

Final Score Leith 33-19.