After some very heavy rain in the area and with pitch conditions a concern, it was a late pitch inspection that conformed that the League Cup tie could safely go ahead under the lights at Kirkcaldy.

It’s been a while since these local rivals have met in serious competition and it was an eagerly anticipated event for both sets of supporters.
The game started positively for both sides, although after the opening ten minutes it became stalemate in midfield as both sides stopped each other in their tracks as the game bogged down in midfield.

Some good work from the Blues found Fin Smith nicely and he skipped through to open the scoring close to the posts and he duly converted his try. 7-0 after 12 minutes played.The visitors re- grouped quickly and after some fine play found a way through the Blues defence to score an unconverted try. 7-5. After 14 minutes of play.

Once more the game became a midfield battle and it was obvious that the visitors had done their homework as the doubled up on the main Kirkcaldy ball carrying threats and made life very difficult for them going forward.
The Blues pack were efficient at scrum time and at line-outs giving very little away to the visitors despite the effort of a well-prepared team very much up for the challenge.

The visitors went ahead with their back line working really well running in a converted try to take the score to 7-12 in favour of the visitors around the 20 minute mark.The game progressed with some hard graft from the Blues pack making some progress, but still with the major ball carriers being stifled, meant that it was a slow grind going forward from the pack.

Finlay Smith scored a neat kick from a penalty from determined forwards pressure following a probing run from Owen Bonner making the score was 10-12 after 25 minutes.A tight game at this point, both sides going at it as you would expect and some great work from Craig Hamilton forced a neat turnover and gave the Blues an opportunity to attack once more. This typified the effort of the Blues pack who really put in a shift and had to find a way to break down the visitors defensive midfield.

So, heading into halftime, the visitors had the narrow advantage, and it was very much game on. H/T 10-12.

The second half began brightly for both sides, keen to play some attractive rugby despite the slippery conditions.
After the home side being awarded a penalty the decision to kick for goal was made from around 38 metres was made and Fin Smith gave the ball a fair old thump at the posts, unfortunately it fell about a metre short and the score remained 10-12. Kirkcaldy lost Stevie Milne to what looked like a painful injury shortly afterwards which was a blow as he had been very busy and a great target for line-outs up to this point.
Some really smart play from the visitors from a neat kick ahead bounced perfectly and the ball was collected, and a try run in from around 30 metres, duly converted it was 10-19 and the back division of the visitors once more showed their sharpness to exploit the chance.
The game progressed and although the visitors had the lead, the Blues pack were causing real problems for their opponents however it became pretty frustrating for the Blues forwards as much of their good work was going unrewarded due to poor decision making, ball handling and retention.

This was the story of the contest really, both packs having a real go, the Blues edging it especially at scrum time although wasteful in attack, the visitors backs far more efficient on the night.

Kirkcaldy pressurised the visitors for the majority of the second half and some resolute defence from the Howe lads somehow managed to keep the Blues from scoring until Owen Bonner who had been the busiest of the back line, smashed through to score near the posts. Fin Smith stepped up to convert and it was 17-19 with seconds left.

That’s how it finished, Howe of Fife progress to the next round and hopefully with a decent draw they will progress in the competition.
A decent game of rugby once more played in the right spirit and not much in it to be fair, the visitors however edged it with some very competent back play and resolute defence and game preparation.