Livingston 2nd XV lose to well organised Duns 2nd XV

Livingston 2nds 15 – 40 Duns 2nds

Saturday was sunny but blustery as Livvy 2nds welcomed Duns 2nds to Almond Park after Linlithgow had called off during the week.

With 4 players promoted to the senior team and others unavailable it was a much changed 2nds that took the field.

Both sets of forwards tested each other early on but it was Duns who opened the scoring after some weak tackling near halfway. Livvy stormed back with the wind behind them and were awarded a series of kickable penalties but chose to go for tries, unsuccessfully. Duns scored a second try very similar to the first – our first up tackling was poor during the first half. Livvy eventually got on the scoresheet with a penalty from Collin Cantley to bring the score to 14-3 to Duns. Livvy then scored a try after Marius somehow crossed the line near the posts with 2 or 3 Duns players unable to hold him up. Conversion by Cantley. 14-10 to Duns. The final score of the half went to Duns when their right wing scored in the corner. Half-time Livvy 10 Duns 19.

The second half opened with Livvy pressing hard for a score, Good interplay between Cantley, Callum Gillespie and Ian Simmonds almost leading to a try. Duns then scored another converted try to lead 26-10. Blair Milner took a heavy knock and went off to hospital with cracked ribs, Robin Phair coming back on as replacement. Livvy then scored a cracking try when Simmonds raced in untouched from 15 metres after great hands from the inside backs. Score now 26-15. Two minutes to go and with Livvy chasing another try the inevitable happened – Duns raced away for another score and from the restart scored again.

Final score Livvy 15 Duns 40.

This was a really good performance against a very strong Duns unit.

Next match away to Inverleith 2nds at Arboretum Park next Saturday.