Livingston played Dunbar for the second time in as many Saturdays. Last week’s was a tight affair with Livingston winning at Dunbar by a 5 point margin 19 -14 to Livi.

Last week’s game was in the league. This Saturday’s was a cup match. Dunbar would have certainly hoped they could win against the Almond Park men but with Livingston sitting top of the league and having won all of their games so far it would be difficult for Dunbar.

Livingston put out a strong team and certainly started the brighter of the two sides. Livingston’s pack was dominating in both lineouts and scrums. It was from an excellent driving lineout that first score came. Livingston’s pack took the ball near the halfway line, Dunbar struggled to contain the drive and after the powerful work from the forwards Livingston scrum Half John Bruton sniped up a narrow blindside. He then off-loaded to Ross Neil who carried the ball further before passing back to Bruton who realised the ball to the Livi three quarter line. The ball found its way along the line to Livi winger Jamie King who crossed in the corner to the delight of the home crowd.
Deans Edwards was unable to convert. 5 -0 to Livingston.

Dunbar came back into the game and got a deserved penalty which they duly converted to take the game to a two point margin. Livingston weren’t rattled by this and continued with their game plan un-phased. Livingston used their forwards well, built good phases and seemed to want to use the full width of Almond Park to try and stretch the away team’s defence. The game plan was working as a second try came for Livi when Jamie King crossed once again to add five points to Livi’s tally. Once again the conversion was unsuccessful.

Dunbar replied with a try of their own. It has to be said that it was an extremely well taken try. The Dunbar backs shipped the ball out to their winger who should great gas and balance to score just to the left of Livingston’s posts. The conversion was added and the score stood at 10 a piece. Once again Livingston placed faith in their game plan and it paid off as blunderbuss centre Andy McMahon ran through the defensive line and crossed for Livi. This time the conversion was hit and Livi were up 17-10.

Livingston would cross twice again before half time. Jamie King crossed to complete his hat-trick. King showed good pace and even better application to turn up on the other wing and scored in the opposite corner. The difficult conversion was missed.

Livingston Scrum half John Bruton scored a fifth Livi try before the break which was unconverted.
27-10 at half time to Livi but Livi backrow Graham Steel was injured in the first half encounter and certainly Livi will be concerned with his progress. The second half kicked off and weather conditions were deteriorating. Wind and rain were having an influence on both side’s handling.

Livingston continued to have the upper-hand in the forwards although not as much as they had in the first half. Dunbar to their credit came back in the game and scored a converted try to take the score to 27-17.
Livi centre McMahon went off and was replaced by Colin Cantley. Livingston were playing sensible rugby, they were using the conditions well and played most of the game in the Dunbar half. A further Livi try was looming when Simon Reynolds was stopped inches from the line. The Livi crowd seemed to think he had scored when the ref put his arm in the air but it was to signal on the physio and Reynolds limped off to hospital with what looks like a serious knee injury. Andy Philp came on at hooker and Lewis Cantley moved to the back row for the injured Reynolds. This enforced change took no wind out of the Livi sails. Livingston were awarded a penalty 5 metres from the line and Neil Scobie took the initiative, tapped quickly and crossed for an easily converted try. 34 -17 to Livi.

Livingston scored once more before the death when Lewis Cantley cut a great line through the Dunbar defence to score Livingston’s sixth try of the afternoon. Edwards converted and Livingston won 41 -17.
Commiserations have to go to Dunbar who certainly made a game of it and scored two good tries of their own but the plaudits have to go to Livingston. The Almond Park men have not known defeat this season and they will hope to continue in their rich vein of form.