There is usually a touch of the unknown when the new boys to a division meet up for the first time, but in this case, it had only been a few months since Preston Lodge and Irvine met up in last season’s National Shield semi-final and on that occasion, PL managed to sneak the win in the last few minutes before going on to win the trophy.

But this is the new term and there is everything to play for between now and next March, so the atmosphere was one of anticipation when the first match of the new National 3 season kicked off at the Pennypit on Saturday.

Irvine looked lively from the start but PL’s defence was up to the task and new captain Chris Dixon and his back-row colleague Ronan Runciman were quick to the breakdown to make sure that the try line was never threatened too closely. The early pressure continued in PL’s 22 until a penalty was conceded and Irvine grabbed the chance to kick the goal and give themselves an early 0-3 lead.

The next 10 minutes were better for PL as they were able to gain more possession in the middle of the pitch thanks to new stand-off Hamish Munro’s good breaks and the hard work up front from the likes of Bruce Stoddart and Jonny Sked, who stood strong in the tackle.

Once inside the 22, it was Irvine who were forced to concede the penalty and although it looked like an easy three points on offer, Dixon decided to opt for the kick to touch close to the line.

The brave decision brought rich rewards as Pete Johnstone’s throw was good and lineout was safely won. From close range, the pack came together, with Nick Hart and Gavin Hume providing the ballast that allowed the tried and trusted Paul Voy to do his thing and burrow through to the line for the first try of the season. Graeme Patterson was on target with the conversion and PL had set down a marker, as well as a handy 7-3 lead.

Irvine were quick to respond and immediately got the ball back into PL’s 22; within two minutes the defence was stretched too far and forced to concede another penalty in front of the posts, easily converted to make the score 7-6.

The second quarter saw the defences on top. Irvine looked dangerous when they had the ball but never really threatened the PL line, while Nathan Ross and Blair Robertson were creative in PL’s midfield as they tried to find a way through to the line, but the visitors’ tackling was good enough to prevent any real danger.

As the half drew to a close, Dale Gordon, Robertson and Stoddart all looked like they had managed to find a way through but the final pass or opening always seemed to elude them. In fact, it was Irvine who looked like they might be able to regain the lead in the 38th minute but PL full-back Patterson and winger Jonathan Brash were good enough in the tackle to make sure the ball went into touch and the danger passed.

PL were first on the attack in the second half when Munro had a nice break into the 22 but it was the pack who took the ball right to the line with some strong play in the loose.

There was still work to be done, though, and Johnstone and Stoddart worked hard to secure the ball before it was popped out to Brash on the wing; from close range he was unstoppable, as he crossed for the try. Patterson’s conversion attempt stayed wide but PL deserved their extended lead at 12-6.

Just two minutes later, Irvine had put together a move which got the ball deep into PL’s 22 and, with some quick recycling, the ball was shipped along the line to stretch the PL defence to the limit. With a four-man overlap, it looked like a certainty that they would score in the corner but a combination of poor decision-making by the men in possession and good cover defence, especially by Gordon and Dixon, the chance was lost and the ball was cleared. The pressure continued for the next few minutes, though, and when PL were penalised for going off their feet 25 metres out from the posts it looked likely that the points gap would be narrowed but the kick went wide and PL’s lead remained at 12-6.

From then on, PL were largely in control as Irvine started to lose their cool, with some backchat to the referee and poor decision-making when they opted for quick tap penalties rather than securing good ball and territory. PL coach Mark Steedman used his substitutes well to keep the pack fresh and Blair Cowan was especially eager for the ball when he got his chance to come on.

New recruit Dee Madzikanda also looked lively and did especially well to feed the ball to Dave Lockie but the winger was well tackled into touch. Paul Dixon and Dean Cunningham both got some game time but as the game moved into the final quarter, the scrums became uncontested due to an injury to Irvine’s front row.

Voy and Nick Hart linked well to steal some good ball towards the end and Ross and Robertson continued to pummel the midfield defence but the only change to the scoreboard before the final whistle was a tricky penalty from 25 metres in the 87th minute which Patterson made look easy. This made the score 15-6, which put the game beyond Irvine’s reach and got PL’s first points on the board.

This was a hard-fought win and PL stood up well to the test and will take some confidence into tomorrow’s (Saturday) match, when they cross the 50-year-old Forth Road Bridge to play old rivals Dunfermline at McKane Park.

Preston Lodge: G Patterson, J Brash, N Ross, B Robertson, D Lockie; H Munro, D Gordon; N Hart, P Johnstone, G Hume, B Stoddart, J Sked, R Runciman, C Dixon, P Voy.