Narrow victory keeps pressure on leaders
Livingston kept themselves sitting third in the East Region League Division Two table thanks to a nail-biting 14-13 win at home to Corstorphine.
The Almond Park side sneaked the victory in conditions that were far from ideal, with the players having to contend with howling winds and driving rain for most of the afternoon.
Livi got proceedings underway but it was Corstorphine who made the early running. A bad kick from Kerr Anderson gave away possession and it appeared the visitors were set to open the scoring but a wonderful defensive kick from Anderson found the Corstorpshine 10 metre line.
Livi were awarded a penalty 40 metres out, which was converted by Dean Edwards for the first score of the game.
Corstorphine answered back with a penalty of their own.
Livingston then mounted an attack and took play well into the Corstorphine 22. After the ball was recycled out the back of the ruck Anderson kicked a drop goal to make it 6-3.
The travelling outfit promptly grabbed the game’s first try as they charged down the restart. They were then awarded a penalty on the Livingston fivemetre line.
Appearing to signal a kick at goal, the Livi defence filtered back behind their goal line only for Corstorphine to take a quick tap-kick and dart over the line.
Despite strong protests by the home players and fans the score stood.
A second drop goal from Anderson just before the halftime whistle ensured there was just a point in it at the break with Corstorphine leading 10-9.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both teams trying, largely unsuccessfully, to impose themselves in the opposition 22.
Corstorphine stretched their lead to four points before a magical piece of skill from Livi scrum-half Ewan Steel proved decisive.
The youngster shrugged off tackles and, with the line in sight, had the presence of mind to offload the ball to Danny Lowe, who barged over the line to Livi’s only try.
Anderson’s conversion clattered off the upright, which made for a nervy end to the contest, but a sturdy defensive display ensured Livingston held on for the narrowest of victories.
This weekend they will be aiming to make it three wins on the bounce as they travel to face struggling Penicuik. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Players had to contend with howling winds and driving rain for most of the afternoon