Published: Thursday, 3rd April, 2008 10:10
Champs Ross High demolish lowly Leith
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Ross High 69 v 5 Leith
• ABOVE THE REST: Ross High second-row forward Ryan Strachan rises high at a line-out during his side’s easy win against Leith on Saturday
THE home side took to the field knowing that the East Division One championship was already theirs, but were determined to finish with a big performance.
It didn’t take long for the Tranent men to get off the mark with a quick score from Michael Paterson. Leith made a mess of some possession in the Ross High half and top try-scorer Paterson swooped in to pick up the loose ball and score under the posts. Dean Jones converted to make it 7-0.
It was expected that this would open the floodgates. However, Leith held on to some possession in Ross High territory and managed to squeeze over in the corner with a pick-and-drive to make the score 7-5.
Ross quickly replied with another long range effort from Paterson, whose switch from outside centre to wing was proving fruitful.
Ross then showed another facet to their game with a catch-and-drive from a lineout within the Leith 22, and second row Martin Welsh managed to power over.
The try of the game followed with a flowing move from the backline after some hard work from the pack. Some slick handling saw winger Graeme McCrann in some space and he used his pace to round the opposition winger and score under the posts.
Scrum-half Jamie Evans finished the first half scoring for his side, who had a lead of 29-5 at the interval.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first period with Ross High taking the game to the visitors.
The home side scored three quick-fire tries from openside flanker Chris McNeil. These were just reward for the amount of unsung work the back-row player has been putting into recent matches.
Evans crossed again later in the second half and Michael Paterson completing his hat-trick to finish the scoring late in the game.
Ross High head coach Graham Paris was impressed with his team’s approach to what was essentially a meaningless game for them. He said “It was a typical end of season game in a lot of ways, but I am happy with the way the boys stuck to their task.
“We’re just glad to finish the season with a positive result which takes us 10 points clear of our nearest rivals at the end of the season.
“It also shows how far we have come since early on in the season when we had a really bad start. But the boys came back strongly.”
Paris and his players can now look forward to the challenges of National League Division Three after only one season in the regional leagues.
“It’s been a long season for all of us,” he said.
“The boys will be glad now to give their bodies a rest and recharge the batteries for next season.”
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