Match Report: Craig Smith

On a Saturday where Scotland looked to make history against New Zealand, Leith made their own history by putting out 3 teams on a Saturday. The “historians” at the club believe this is the first time since the 1995/96 season that they have managed this. The 3XV took to the field against Queensferry with a makeshift yet strong team, including a pack containing 4 hookers and another on the bench. A range of returning players and some visitors helped to round the team out.

Leith started the game on the back foot due to strong ball carrying and a successful offloading game for the Ferry men. As Queensferry powered their way into the Leith half, one of the offloads went awry and Leith’s visiting stand-off, Craig Smith, was able to jump at the opportunity as stepped his way past 2 defenders and outpaced the fullback to score the first try for Leith 3XV, converted by brother Russell Smith. Unfortunately, Leith were unable to push on after this and Queensferry began to take control of the game. After applying pressure on the Leith line they are able to score a well worked try in the corner, conversion missed. The offloading game employed by Queensferry was causing problems for Leith and they were able to get the second try, this time in the other corner, conversion was missed leaving the score at 7-10. This try woke the Leithers up and they were able to work their way into the Queensferry half; Where after a couple of powerful rolling mauls led by David Meadows and some powerful pick and drives from the ever-young Eric Jones, David Cornwall and Willie Cook. The forwards were able to provide a good platform for the backs to attack. A wide pass from C. Smith out to Matt Collings gave the centre the chance to get on the outside of his man and finish well to put Leith back into the lead. C. Smith took over the kicking duties from R. Smith but missed his first attempt giving Leith the slender lead of 12-10. Leith appeared to go to sleep from the kick-off and after a penalty at scrum time Queensferry grabbed a try back under the posts to take a 12-17 lead at halftime.

Leith started the second half slowly and Queensferry began to take control of the game. Their strong ball carriers had been causing problems for the Leith defence all game, and after working their way deep into the Leith 22 were able to power over for the first try of the half. From here Queensferry kicked on and grabbed another 2 scores due to powerful carries from the forwards and a good offloading game. Leith began to slowly work themselves back into the game with strong impact coming off the bench. With a good platform set from the forwards and the Leith backs beginning to click, the 3XV managed to grab their 3rd try of game. C Smith scoring a trade mark try, dummying his way through the defensive line and stepping the cover defence to score under the posts. After taking all of the allotted 1 minute to get his breath back he slotted the conversion to bring the score to 19-38. Although Leith continued to work hard and put together some good passages of play they were unable to break down the well organised opposition defence. After a few loose passes and tiring legs, Leith’s defence was creaking. Queensferry were able to take advantage scoring some long range tries, one of these included a lovely between the legs pass that Carlos Spencer would have been proud of. This took the final score to 55-19.

Scorers:
Tries: Craig Smith (2), Matt Collings
Man of the March: Andrew Neilson

Leith:
1 Marco Minuti, 2 Willie Cook, 3 Eoin O'Leary, 4 David Meadows, 5 Innes Robertson, 6 Sam Hall, 7 Eric Jones, 8 Davy Cornwall; 9 Andrew Neilson, 10 Craig Smith, 11 Finlay Stewart, 12 Patrick Campbell, 13 Matt Collings, 14 David Baptie, 15 Russell Smith (c); 16 Neil Holman, 17 David Montgomery, 18 Shuggie Rodden, 19 Doddie MacHardy, 20 Kenneth MacHardy, 21 Bruce Tyler