On Thursday, late afternoon, the u18’s travelled into Fettes College in Edinburgh to contest the 2nd round of the Scottish Cup.

The home side started brilliantly through their talented, extremely fast back line scoring their first 3 try’s within 10 minutes. 19-0.

Our boys didn’t really get the chance to run any plays but struggled through to the half hour mark before letting another two try’s in. 33-0.
However, we rallied and started to put some phases together resulting in Centre Alfie running a strong inside line to crash over with Ruairi converting.

The home side again ran round our outsides scoring once more clocking up the scoreboard to 40-7.

The Linlithgow boys didn’t give up though trying a more forwards type approach resulting in Flanker Euan, going over but the referee was unsighted so couldn’t give the try. We regained the home sides goal line drop out and brilliantly, Euan crashed over again and the try was given right on half time. 40-12 (6 try’s to 2).

With the welcome break of half time, and our strong finish the Linlithgow boys thought we could start well and get back into the game. However, the home side upped their pace and power, with 3 unanswered trys finished us off score wise. Fettes backs just proved too quick! 57-12.

With twenty minutes to go, our boys started to run better phases and we started to gain more field position. Under great pressure our other flanker, Jack powered over, twice with Fraser converting one of the try’s finishing the game, 57-22 (3 try’s to 2 for the second half).

Great game for our boys to play in, and we must learn to play in the right parts of the pitch and use wider plays under a faster tempo. However, the way we stuck in and competed, even though the score was obviously gone, showed some real resilience and team spirit.

Well done Fettes and good luck to them in the next round.