Linlithgow 2s  33 – 27  Boroughmuir 2s

Saturday 14 October 2023

Report by Des Martin

It was a great autumn day with the sun shining for this home game at Linlithgow. There was a great buzz of excitement as the First XV were playing the league leaders Haddington and all the sponsors had been invited and the 2s were also playing the leaders of their league (East Reserve 1) in Boroughmuir. The manager was pleased that he had a quorum of players, as in previous weeks the team hadn’t manage to field 15 players. Boroughmuir arrived with 24 players and Linlithgow had 17 so it was game on. The Edinburgh opposition had high hopes of giving us a good beating as they were top of the league and unbeaten.

The game started briskly and Boroughmuir soon showed their intentions, with brisk carries popping the ball eventually to the backs. They scored there first try inside 5 minutes and they hoped the scoring run would continue but this was not the case as the Reds forwards of Sam Buckley, Max Holt and Stu Young in the front row all worked superbly hard. When the ball went out to the midfield Struan McLean, Eddie Beamish, Calum Lindsay and Cammy Walker all tackled ferociously.

Before long they were rewarded for their efforts when Cammy Walker scored for the Reds 2s (5-5). Boroughmuir scored another try after a lapse in the defense allowed a centre to skip through and score. However, Linlithgow were playing well with all the forwards frustrating the Boroughmuir pack.  Eoin Magee, Jeff Martin and Ross Findlater in the back row were all putting in great shifts and it was against the run of play when the Boroughmuir stand off chipped over the defence and the ball bounced badly for the home team to allow Boroughmuir to score.  This was just before half time and left the score 17-5 in favour of the visitors at the break.

The manager at half time praised the effort of the team and encouraged more of the same.

Shortly after the restart, Cammy Walker scored another try supporting a break by Eddie Beamish. Gregor McLean converted to make it 12-17.

The team had got some belief that the game was within their grasp and the referee started dishing out yellow cards mainly to Boroughmuir for high tackles. This unsettled the opposition and the Reds benefited and played some good rugby. Unfortunately during this period of stop – start play Mark Amatller was injured and had to come off. Mark had been putting in a good performance so it was unlucky for him. The pack was rejigged with Andrew Veitch coming on in the second row. Boroughmuir scored another try from a drive over maul after succession of penalties against the Reds (24-12 to Boroughmuir).

The Reds still believed in themselves and went down the field with a succession of good driving play from Jack McKinnon, David Martin and Ross Findlater.  The ball was passed out crisply by Struan McLean across the backs and Calum Lindsay cut back inside to score a fine try which Gregor McLean converted (24-19 to the visitors).  The Reds were still behind but working hard. Cammy Walker got another try which inched the Reds in front 26-24 and Boroughmuir were rattled resulting in some scuffles and words of support from the touch line. The referee was trying hard to manage the game and cut down on high tackles and this resulted in lots of stop – start play. 

Boroughmuir exerted a period of continuous pressure desperate to regain the lead and, despite great defence from the Reds, eventually were awarded and kicked a penalty to give them the lead at 27-26. With time running out the Reds pulled out all the stops and they went down the field and scored a great try converted by Gregor McLean, to claim a win with the last play of the game.

What a great result! 33-27 to the Reds beating the top of the table team. Well done everyone! Let’s keep up the good efforts with attendance at training and playing on Saturdays.