Broughton kept the pressure on S.H.E. League leaders Hawick Linden with a 15-10 win away to Leith at Academy Park on Saturday.

Tries by Nick Keenan and Johnny Beaton gave Broughton the edge in what on paper suggests a tight game, but in reality, a mixture of poor defence, opposition falling down like skittles at almost every opportunity and the match being seemingly refereed by the Leith No8 Aitchison, prevented the match having any chance to flow.

Under the shade of the Concrete San Giro (sorry, Easter Road), Broughton immediately took the game to the hosts and within 3 minutes they had the first try of the afternoon.

Arrandale kicked the Garry Owen within inches of the posts and the unlikeliest Broughton player in Maddocks caused all sorts of disruption with his jump to try and catch only encouraging the Leith full-back to knock the ball on and it bounced up nicely for Beaton to fall over the line.  Maddocks slotted the extras. 0-7.

O'Neill retired just 12 minutes into the game and was replaced by Butcher, one of 6 new faces in the Broughton side from last season.

Leith brought the scores level on the 20 minute mark as the Broughton defence slept, the experienced and sturdy Leith prop bulldozed his way over the line between the posts, allowing for the easy conversion.  7-7 at half-time.

From the re-start it was a carbon copy of the 1st half with Broughton getting on the scoreboard early on.  This time it took less than 90 seconds.

Beaton forced the Leith full-back to retreat with a great kick into space in the corner and his kick was off the side of the boot for a 22 line-out.  Wells took the ball for a run and was stopped short 5 metres out, however Arrandale's quick link with Maddocks saw the Welshman execute a fine drop-goal. 7-10.

A fine run from Harper from inside his own 22 shortly afterwards caught Leith out and with Beaton on his shoulder the two interchanged passes before setting Malcolm off up the wing.  Unfortunately 'Bombhead' was still cold from coming off the bench and was upended close to the line.

Broughton didn't have long to wait though before they scored their 2nd and decisive score.  Another sublime backs move, something that has been missing from the Broughton repertoire for a couple of seasons, found Man of the Match Beaton in space and his timely pop to Keenan saw the flying winger dance into the corner for his first try for the Club.  Maddocks missed the conversion. 7-15.

With 6 minutes to go, Nicolson was penalised for not coming in from the back foot to concede a penalty which was converted 10-15.

Despite a combination of countless (and at times confusing) penalties awarded against Broughton, tremendous defending from all prevented Leith from attempting a smash and grab. 

Final Score - Leith 10 - 15 Broughton

The result puts Broughton into second spot behind Linden, however Penicuik have a game in hand following the postponement of their game away to Earlston.

Next week Broughton have the shortest of trips up Granton Road to take on S.H.E. East Division 2 runaway leaders Inverleith in the 1st Round of the Cup.  Kick-off at 3pm on Scotland's smallest rugby pitch!