Following the superb match in September when Livingston won by 36 – 35, it would have been easy to predict a high scoring return match at Livingston.

Both sides were close to full strength after the festive break with only Calum Cockburn missing and replaced on the left wing by the pacey Charlie Elms. Gregor Anderson was in the back row and it was good to see past Captain Jamie Dove on the bench.

The run away league leaders Livingston started the match strongly and there was pressure on the North Berwick line but that was soaked up with strong defence with powerful tackling and the home support knew there was a contest to watch.

In fact, the first real chance fell to Elms as he intercepted on the North Berwick 22 and set off up field. Whether he would have made it all the way was a topic of discussion post match but we will never know the answer as his hamstring went when clear of the defence and in full flight - he was helped from the field in great discomfort. He was replaced by Jamie Dove with Jamie Armstrong moving to the wing.

The next chance was a penalty from forty metres which Liam West put just wide.

Within a minute, Livingston took the lead. Centre Alasdair Scobie drove into the middle of the North Berwick defence and it took both Callum Mark and Kyle Hamilton to stop him and when the quick ball went right there was an overlap for full back Dean Edwards to cross in the corner.

From the kick off, Livingston failed to gather the ball and a player in an off side position collected the ball and it was kicked fifty yards to the North Berwick 22 when a penalty in front of the home posts would maybe have had an impact on the match!

Livingston missed a penalty on the half hour before a smashing move in the backs saw centre Kevin Buchan over the line to extend the lead.

Half time: Livingston 10 North Berwick 0

Livingston started the second half where they left off and it took only two minutes to score again with winger Ross Neil scoring after a number of rucks close to the North Berwick line.

From then on, it was all North Berwick with an enormous effort from the pack to take the game to the home side. Gregor Anderson was having a huge game well supported by Jamie and Iain Dove and the Inglis brothers Ben and Lee. They charged into the home side and provided decent ball for the backs.

Graeme Fairgrieve was hauled down close to the line and Grant Spence, Connor Johnson and Callum Mark were all halted by superb defence.

There was an extended phase of play close to the home line but again it was defended well and there was no further scoring. The North Berwick players and supporters were bemused by some of the refereeing decisions and on a couple of occasions they were marched back ten metres for questioning decisions – never helpful.

All in all this was a very good match between two good sides and although defeated, the nineteen North Berwick players used had worked their socks off and left the field with their heads high.

It would be difficult to select a man of the match as all had performed well but maybe Anderson’s efforts in attack and defence just shaded it from Ben Inglis, Jamie Dove and Bhrian Buchanan.

Next week sees another road trip, this time to Berwick who may be bottom of the league but will be dangerous opponents.




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