Broughton moved three places up the league table to second top with a hard fought if not laboured at times 23-14 win at Academy Park against rivals Leith.

The Proclaimers once sang the immortal words 'Sunshine on Leith' and they weren't far off yesterday as the warm conditions made this game a pleasure to watch in the shadow of the concrete San Giro that is Easter Road Stadium, the home of the other EH6 side to lose on Saturday.

Broughton had an early scare in the warm-up as Chris O'Neill dislocated his shoulder.  Doug needs to clearly go on a 1st Aid course as he yanked it further out before putting it back in!!

The home side, looking for their first win of the season, enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and they had the opportunity to take an 8th minute lead when the referee adjudged Broughton centre Neil Matthews to have been slightly high in a tackle.  The resultant penalty kick was short and low and rookie hooker Grant Wilson collected the ball 5 metres in front of his posts, looked up with the opposite posts only the length of the field away!

A bursting run was caught in it's tracks on the 22 and the referee gave a long shrill of the whistle as the isolated front rower held onto the ball on the ground for too long whilst awaiting support.  The Leith kicker had a further attempt, this time closer and more central, but the result was the same.  A let off for the visitors which spurred them into action.

On the 16th minute, the Broughton forwards produced some fine up-the-jumper rugby and home pack was retreating faster than an Italian army.  The pressure was too much for the Leith pack and they were caught offside.  Maddocks slotted the kick over. 0-3.

Broughton stretched their lead midway through the half with a try from winger Paul Maddison.  Leith looked uncomfortable as they soaked up incessant Broughton pressure and failure to clear their lines cost them dearly.  The full back tried to kick to safety from his own line but only resulted in finding ball magnet Stan Smith who's imitation of a galloping giraffe had the crowd looking on in awe and wondering if indeed that was live action in slow motion!  The big second row player and Subscription Secretary (next Saturday is the last day to get your subs in to earn your early bird discount he tells me!) was stopped 5 metres short and quick recycling by Arrandale allowed the backs to show what they were good at and Maddison duly obliged with a score in the corner.  Maddocks was unsuccessful with the extras. 0-8.

Broughton's Man of the Match Duncan Nicolson increased Broughton's tally when he scored his first of two tries 5 minutes from half time.  A Broughton line-out just inside the Leith 22 was collected by Ulsterman Baxter.  The drive forward allowed Arrandale to time his pop-pass to Nicolson who rampaged through the Leith defence despite the close attention of a trio of players hanging on to his bulky physique.  Maddocks obliged with the kick between the posts to put Broughton 0-15 up at half-time.

The second half was more of a contest as Leith tried to claw back the deficit but it was Broughton who edged further ahead on 52 mins.  Leith were once again pinged for creeping up offside.  Maddocks kicked the points. 0-18.

Leith's luck appeared to take a turn for the better just 4 minutes later as Arrandale was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.  The Leith No.8 was having problems at the base of the scrum and it looked like a fairly audible call from the sideline from the referee that the ball had indeed came out and the Broughton scrum half could contest.  Unfortunately this did not appear to be the case and for his remonstrations, Arrandale was given a chance to join Naomi and Louis on the sidelines!

Stand-in Scrum Half Matthews found it hard to adjust to his new found position and was penalised for feeding the scrum on the hour.  A quick tap was taken and with the Broughton pack not retreating quickly enough, the gaps in the defence were exposed and former Trinity Player Robin (who's surname I have forgotten!) eased in for a try.  The Broughton lead was reduced by the conversion.  07-18.

The match had entered into the last 10 minutes and Leith set up a grandstand finish with a well executed try in the corner.  Broughton lost possession at the line out on their own 22 and the ball was shipped out wide.  The well placed conversion meant that it was game on at 14-18.

Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man and with 3 minutes on the clock, that man was Nicolson who put the score beyond doubt with another 15 metre bulldozing burst from further line out ball.  Not content with having to fend off the home players, he had to side step the referee in the process!  The conversion was missed but Broughton held their nerve for the final moments to win 14-23.

Another win on the road but a missed opportunity to secure a bonus point.  Next week at home we have Penicuik who will no doubt still be smarting from the Championship smash and grab on the last day of the 04/05 season.