Having lost three matches over the last weeks by three points or less, North Berwick were at home and hoping for a good result against Portobello.

Adam McNair won the toss and chose to play away from the clubhouse and Porty kicked off. The early exchanges were fairly even but it was clear that the visitors meant business and were looking slick in the backs with Hamish Munro sharp at standoff.

In five minutes Porty opened the scoring having won quick ball and moving it right. The last pass was suspiciously forward but full back Chris Thomas dotted the ball down to open the scoring. Hamish Munro missed the conversion.

The home side were always in the contest and often Ben Inglis was on the ball and always able to beat at least the first tackler. Kyle Hamilton had a good break and soon after it seemed that Graeme Fairgrieve might score but after twenty minutes the only prize was a sweetly struck penalty by Grant Craig.

The visitors extended their lead soon after when centre Frazer Boyter scored wide out, again too far for the conversion. Porty were on top now and the home defence looked distinctly leaky and it took a couple of excellent tackles by Charlie Elms to keep the score board operator quiet! In fact against the run of play, the scores were evened up when Connor Johnson broke free and scored an excellent try. Craig converted from the touchline and the half time score was 10 – 10.

Right after half time another hole appeared in the home defence and Robert Ritchie who used to ply his trade at North Berwick went over for Portobello for them to take the lead again. Munro missed the conversion but he kicked a good penalty ten minutes later to extend the lead.

North Berwick came back into the game and camped on the Porty line for a while and whilst the forwards huffed and puffed and were held up over the line a couple of times, the visitors held firm and the danger for them was averted. Soon they were again on the offensive and Boyter scored at the posts for an easy conversion. North Berwick 10 Portobello 25 and only ten minutes left.

The home side came back and Jonny Riddell was last up with the ball as the forwards piled over the line. It wasn’t to be the last score as Ritchie had the last word for Porty with another break down the left wing.

Were Portobello the better side? Maybe is the answer but North Berwick made them look good as the defence was poor all game and when they had possession and there was plenty of that they played as individuals when maybe working together would have helped.

Next up is a local derby with Preston Lodge the visitors to Recreation Park.