Livingston v Edinburgh University

LIVINGSTON taught the rugby stars of Edinburgh University a lesson at Almond Park last weekend as the hosts ran out winners by seven clear points.
The win for Livi sees them climb the table to third spot but one criticism that could be levelled at them could be their failure to kill off the game earlier than they did.
On a clear but windy day it was the visitors who took an early lead when they knocked over a penalty before adding a converted try a couple of minutes later.
This left Livingston 10-0 down within minutes of the kick-off.
However, the home team rallied to quickly strike back when Glen Mushet broke through the Uni defence after a deft chip from David Stone, to score for Livi. Craig Bolan added the conversion.
Livingston were now finding their form and started to dominate the opposition in the forwards, with both the lineout and the scrum functioning well.
The backs’ prowess was also on display as Glen Mushet went over for his second of the afternoon. Craig Bolan duly converted to take the score to 14-10.
Bolan struck another penalty before both teams exchanged penalties to take the score to 20-13 at half time.
The second half was a scrappy affair with neither team getting into their stride.
A couple of penalties were exchanged before Livi crossed the line again.
Some good driving work by the forwards put Craig Bolan in the position to crash over for Livi’s third try of the day. Bolan added his conversion to make it 30-16.
Two more penalties by the students took the score to 30-22.
Livi had full-back Mark Douglas sin-binned for a high tackle with about 25 minutes to go and Uni struck back in the 10 minutes he was off with a converted try to move to within a point of Livi at 30-29.
The two sides both knocked a couple of penalties between the uprights to take the score to 36-35 and set up a grand stand finish.
It was duly delivered when Livi winger Ian McDonald went over in the corner to seal the bonus-point win for the home side as it finished 41-35.
While Livingston may rue the missed opportunity to bury the game earlier than they did, they will surely be glad of the points and an improved league standing.
Also, a strong offensive performance by the backs was matched by a rugged display by the pack, and Richard Cooper deservedly got man of the match for a solid performance.
Uni never really managed to control the game for any period but they did score three tries Livingston should have prevented.
Livingston’s next game is away to Royal High Corstorphine on September 18, kicking off at 3pm.
Livingston: Eddie Stuart, Andy Philp, Mikolaj Piotr Rowinski, Steven Hay, Gary Wilson, David Stone, Jamie King, Graham Steel, Peter Beirne, Alasdair Scobie, Richard Cooper, Craig Bolan, Glen Mushet, Ian McDonald, Mark Douglas.
Replacements: David Laird, Lee Barrett and David Downham.