This was an exciting local derby which kept the spectators on their toes right up to the last play of the game. PL started strongly as the home crowd expected they would and won a series of penalties which took them to a line out close to NB’s try line. Their considerable patience paid dividends and Andrew Clark the experienced PL stand off broke through to score under the posts. NB were not to be out done and after Callum Mark’s quick hands initiated a penetrating run from Connor Johnson he was again on hand to touch down in the corner. Both tries were converted . NB 7 PL 7

PL piled on the pressure after this with the strong Paul Glynn proving particularly troublesome to the home side and from a penalty in front of the posts Clark again had no trouble adding the points. An injury to Stuart Mclean the PL prop in the build up to this proved costly to the dynamic of the game as with only a hooker as front row replacement the referee was forced to go to uncontested scrums.

The match looked like going into half time with a 3 point advantage to PL when their strong and incisive centres Kinross and Robertson set up a great try for scrum half Easton. This was converted making it 17- 7 at half time in the away sides favour.

In the second half in the NB backs Grant Craig came on for the injured Danny Waldman and the resulting reshuffle saw Johnston going to full back and Liam West moved to the wing. There were also changes in the pack with coach Quinton Caulfield and veteran Craig Cockburn replacing Jonny Riddell and Lee Inglis who had taken knocks. Following calls from the home support for a couple of apparently dubious knock ons which the ref missed the experienced Grant Craig was soon directing matters and getting involved. He was instrumental following a quick break from fellow Grant “Spence” in initiating and linking with the backs to touch down in the corner.

The match continued in a fast moving free flowing manner and PL hit back straight away with Greg Kinross benefiting from some poor NB tackling. End to end stuff saw the home sides Connor Johnson break away and put in a great chip ahead which he caught only to be deprived of a try by a “dubious” knock on. Justice was done not long afterwards however when “stand in” winger Liam West” dived over again in the corner to restore some equilibrium to the score.

After the influential PL number 8 Paul Voy was sin binned with 10 minutes to go the home team gained additional encouragement. Again Connor Johnson put in a deft kick ahead this time for Quinton Caulfield to score. A frantic NB finish lead by captain Adam Macnair started on half way and featured both forwards and backs. It included a final pass from a “youthful” Craig Cockburn for winger Graeme Fairgrieve to score the winner. Grant Spence was NB’s man of the match but Connor Johnson must have run him close with all telling line breaks and tackling.

A good competitive open game which spectators on both sides enjoyed was continued in the clubhouse afterwards when PL President Shona Brash did the honours by drawing the raffle.

This was a great advert for East Lothian rugby