Linlithgow 2nd XV 18 – 23 Stewart’s Melville 2nd XV
Friday 27 October 2023
Report by David Mitchell
Lower Mains Park was the venue for this East Region Reserve League Division 1 fixture under the floodlights last Friday evening. Despite the rainy weather, there was a good sized crowd in attendance, including former British and Irish Lions captain Finlay Calder, and they were treated to a good display from both sides. The pitch looked heavy after all of the recent rain but despite being a bit slippery, the surface held up well.
Overall the quality of play produced by both teams was commendable in such trying conditions with some excellent straight running, decent passing and sturdy defence on display. The visitors opened the scoring after a strong run by one of their centres led to a try and conversion. They extended their lead with a penalty to make the score 0-10 but the Reds stormed back with some superb driving runs from several players including Alex McHardy, Marc Amatller, Eddie Beamish, Cammy Walker, Sean Lamb and Calum Lindsay and it was no surprise when the Reds scored a try. From a Stewart’s Melville drop out from the goal line, Calum Lindsay juggled the greasy ball but retained control and set off from about 35 metres out to beat several defenders on his way to scoring a great individual try under the posts with Gregor McLean adding the extra points. The visitors then added an unconverted try and the half ended with a well struck penalty kick from Gregor McLean to make the half time score 10-15.
The second half was also a very tight and well contested half of rugby with both sides adding a try and a penalty. Gregor McLean knocked over a good penalty to bring the scores close at 13-15 but Stew-Mel scored a try after a quick tapped penalty to extend the lead to 13-20. However the Reds then had a long period of pressure in the visitors’ half finally resulting in a fine try by Aidan Wan. Both teams made regular changes during the half with injury and fatigue present on both sides. Calum Hay made only his 2nd appearance from the bench but enjoyed his spell on the field judging by his reaction when he left the field. He certainly got stuck in to the opposition as did many of his team mates.
The final score in the game was a penalty from the visiting side which led to a final score of 18-23 in a game that could have gone either way in the last few minutes.
It was heartening to see a strong 2nd XV with 5 replacements playing in a very determined manner against opposition whose 1st XV play in National league 2. The brothers McLean formed a good partnership at half back with Struan’s smooth service linking the forwards and backs and Gregor’s kicking game being on song as well. Gregor’s highlight of the evening was a thunderous tackle in midfield that could almost be felt on the touchline.
It was a difficult night for the forward packs to contend with and as a result the line-outs were a bit of a lottery but the scrums were good with Stew-Mel having the upper hand in 1st half but the Reds began to assert control in the 2nd half.
Overall a good match played in the right spirit and with a close finish. Well done to both teams.
Linlithgow 2s
Aiden Mochrie, Max Holt, Matthew Sommerville; Marc Amatller, Finlay Chadwick;Lewis Herdman, Alex McHardy, Ross Findlater; Struan McLean, Gregor McLean; Kyle Aitken, Calum Lindsay, Eddie Beamish, Sam Dudchenko: Shaun Lamb.
Subs
Lewis Roberts, Calum Hay, Aidan Wan.
Linlithgow Rugby Club 