Ross High have struggled in the league this season so Shield games can be seen a welcome break but despite having an early chance to take the lead with a shot at goal in the second minute, it was going to be a tough afternoon as PL start to hit form again after a down and up performance last week.
Coach Craig McGeary took the chance to test some youngsters in the squad and at one point during the match, there was a welcome sight of seeing three unders18s – Munro Third, Jordan Garrity and Paul Dixon – in action together in the front row of the scrum. Another under 18, Jordan Eales opened the scoring in the fourth minute following a great passing movement after Paul Glynn had made a fine break before Graeme Patterson sent a clever pass that put the youngster clear to the line.
An injury to the lively Pete Johnston forced a reshuffle to the pack with Club captain Blair Cowan coming on to play at openside and Jonathan Brash moving to scrum half but this was a seamless transition as Cowan was soon in action securing ball before Brash passed out to Patterson who strolled over for the second try. Cowan himself scored the third in the 15th minute as Ross High struggled to cope with the powerful running of PL’s attack force and Glynn, Eales, Robertson and Voy were enjoying their day in the sun as each made searing breaks with the ball in hand to ensure that the pressure was always on in the Ross High 22. In fact, in the 26th minute, Voy received the ball near the half way line and ran to the line with the defence powerless to stop him. Patterson was on target with the conversion this time in what was to be difficult day for goal kickers, mainly due to the pitch being so soft and waterlogged in places. The PL match day team had worked hard to get it playable in the morning.
Another two tries would be scored before the break – one from Blair Robertson who did well to stretch over in the corner and Eales bagged his second after a patient build up featuring Stoddart, Sked, McLean and King which made the score 32-0.

Unfortunately for Ross High, there was to more of the same for the entire duration on the second half and Eales secured his hat-trick after Voy, Chris Dixon, Glynn and Robertson had helped to set it up. Glynn broke again right from the restart and scored himself to make it 42-0 and then Eales looked like he was heading for his fourth but a neat pass to Brash was the easier option and he stepped inside to touchdown near the posts. Next, it was the turn of one of the newcomers to get in on the act when Paul Dixon got the ball five metres out and cleverly stayed on his feet despite the close attention of two or three tacklers, to barge his way over for a fine try on debut.
The scoring was completed by Lewis King, who was unstoppable from 25 metres, a second for Glynn and a further two for Voy to give him a hat-trick as well. Patterson also managed a total of five conversions to complete the scoring at 80-0.

As well as Shield points, the teams were playing for the Billy McNeill Trophy and on receiving the cup from the Ross High captain, PL skipper Blair Cowan thanked the Tranent boys for the game and encouraged them to stick in and work hard to get through these tough times.

PL will complete their Shield fixtures next FRIDAY evening when they play EU Blues under the lights at Peffermill. ko 7.30pm.


Preston Lodge Team:
L King, B Robertson, P Glynn, C Dixon, J Eales, G Patterson, P Johnston
M Third, S McLean, K Duncan, B Stoddart, J Sked, A Archer, J Brash, P Voy

Replacements:
I Macintosh, B Cowan, J Garrity, P Dixon

Ross High Squad:
P Cribbes, N Tinlin, C Tinlin, J Tinlin, S Haddow, R Watters, T Docherty, A Welsh, L Law, G Stevenson
S Ross, J Blyth, G Cunningham, S Thomas, N Chismond, J Peel, M Martin, R Dudgeon, M Robertson