Tight confrontation see Livi secure another 5 point win away at North Berwick

Livingston secure a hard fought away win to a very determined North Berwick. Conditions were perfect for an open game of rugby, warm and sunny with just the hint of a breeze, a large expectant audience had gathered ready for kick off.
North Berwick started the half kicking away from the clubhouse up the hill immediately benefiting from a Livingston knock on. From the resultant scrum Berwick worked the ball well putting pressure on the Livingston defence until spinning the ball wide allowing the winger to get behind to score an early try, the conversion was successful giving them a 7 - 0 lead. The restart was almost a re-run with the Berwick winger once again getting on the outside to run in another try which again was converted. Score 14 - 0 to the home side. Livingston suddenly burst into action securing the restart, working the ball through the forwards until releasing winger Geoff Caldwell to cross over in the corner. The conversion was missed, the score now 14 - 5 to Berwick with only 15 mins played. The game turned quite sour for a couple of minutes then, first Lee Barrett suffered a cut ear and a busted nose during a scrum which bizarrely ended up with Lee receiving a yellow for punching ? this was closely followed by Geoff Caldwell receiving a late knee into his shoulder after dropping onto a loose ball meaning Livingston had lost 2 experienced players in the space of a couple of minutes. This seemed to spark Livingston into life, with only 14 men on the park the men in blue clicked putting Berwick under immense pressure drawing a penalty which was quickly taken. Skilful hands and good support play saw Jason Watt cross close to the posts, Ewan Naysmith stepped up and converted off the post 14 - 12 in favour of Berwick. From the restart young winger Dean Edwards intercepted an attempted offload just inside his own half and sprinted to the line diving over to score his 3rd try of the season. Naysmith once again chancing his luck hitting off the post to score the conversion. The home side were suddenly looking at a 14 - 19 deficit and were stunned again when Livingston secured the restart driving towards the posts drawing another penalty. Quick thinking scrum half Alasdair Williamson took the quick tap and spotting the tightest of gaps nipped through to touch down earning Livingston the vital four try bonus point. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 24 - 14 to Livingston. Hooker Lee Barratt then returned to the field after his binning and was instrumental in what was Livingston's best try yet. A penalty gave Livingston a line out just outside the Berwick 22m line, the training ground move saw Barrett throw a pinpoint ball over the top of the shortened line out straight into the grateful arms of number 8 Aaran Johnston who with plenty of work still to do powered over in the corner to take the score to 29 - 14 to Livingston with only a couple of minutes to half time. The conversion was missed and the half ended with Livingston happy to be leading after the suspect start.
The second half saw North Berwick again scoring a quick try straight from the restart which was converted to take the score to 29 - 21 in Livingston's favour.
Livingston then steadied the boat securing the restart and working the phases until stand off Craig Bolan spotted a gap which he duly stepped through to score under the posts, Naysmith converted taking the score to 36 - 21 to Livingston with 15 mins of the second half gone. North Berwick now playing down the hill were not about to give up and using the boot intelligently kept Livi in their own half. They applied great pressure to the Livi defence until on 25 mins they sneaked over to secure their own bonus point try which was successfully converted. Score now 36 - 28 to Livingston. Berwick now seeing a chance to overtake Livi were attacking the Livingston half with some great running lines, hitting phase after phase until the stout Livi defence eventually gave way on 35 mins, Berwick scored their 5th try which was duly converted to bring them within 1 point of Livingston at 36 - 35. The last five minutes saw Livingston holding out under extreme pressure from a very determined Berwick attack. The Livingston faithful gave out a huge sigh of relief when with just a minute remaining Berwick earned a penalty on the Livi 22 which was imminently kickable but chose instead to go for glory kicking for touch. A misunderstanding from the Berwick lineout saw Livingston steal the ball which was eventually put out of the field to hear the final whistle blow. Livingston squeezing out a 36 - 35 win against a powerful North Berwick side. The five points earned leave Livingston sitting top of the RBS East League 1 on a narrow points difference over Preston Lodge. Next week we welcome Portobello to Almond Park kick off 3pm so come down and support the boys who will be looking for win number 5.