A much-changed U15 team rolled in to Lasswade High School for a friendly fixture to end their stratospherically successful 2023.  No fewer than eight players started the game out of their usual position, in part due to player availability on the weekend but mainly reflecting a desire from the coaches to help develop the players by stretching them beyond their comfort zone. The ability to play multiple positions is great for game understanding and for skills and so this was an opportunity to test the boys and see what they could do.

We arrived in Midlothian on a blustery but dry morning. Some of the younger boys were fearful and excited when they spotted a strange glowing orb in the heavens. With the benefit of experience, the coaches were able to remind them that this was the sun and, low in the sky as it was, playing with it behind us would be an advantage in the first half.

Lasswade duly kicked off and it was time for the Young Reds to show their stuff. It didn’t take long, as off the first possession of the game, the ball was moved smartly through the hands and Rory, playing full-back this week, crossed the line for a try in the left corner.  The wind took the ball wide on the conversion attempt, so it was 5-0. Linlithgow received the kick off and punched up the middle. Moments later, stand-off Alfie popped a beautiful short pass to Rory who steamed on to it, broke the line and was through under the post for his second try in a few minutes. He added the extras and Linlithgow were 12 up with Lasswade hardly having touched the ball.

The home side eventually got their hands on the ball, but were only to find an opposing team who were strong in the tackle and whose makeshift back row of Alexander, Elliot and Thomas were eager to win the breakdown battle and get the ball back in Linlithgow hands. This they duly did and a thrilling passage of play featuring a sniping run up the right wing by Hugh before the ball was moved rapidly through hands to create a 2 v 1 for Finlay M and Jay, which was executed perfectly for Finlay M to score. This obviously gave him a taste for it, as before long he was picking a great line to cut through the defence and over for another super try.

As the first half drew to a close, the final word went to Fraser W, who received the ball in the middle of the Lasswade 22, saw an opportunity and put his head down and charged through the defence who were unable to slow him down, let alone stop him. With the conversion good, the ref blew for half-time with the score 31-0 to Linlithgow.

Lasswade were given first chance to attack in the second half but again the Young Reds defence offered no way through. The set piece was working well, with Fraser H making his debut as hooker but looking like he’d been doing it for years. With a stable platform to attack from, the backs were able to put speed and width on the ball with some potent running from Angus T bringing a physical edge that opened up space for others – expertly exploited by Rory who was clearly enjoying his run out at full-back, outpacing the defence for his third try of the game.  Not to be outdone, Finlay M soon joined Rory on a hat-trick and the score moved up to 43-0.

Next on the scoresheet was Alfie, who took the ball inside his own half, saw a gap in front of him and shimmied through it then turned on the afterburners, stepped the full back and zoomed over the line to score beneath the posts. Unfortunately he ran a bit too fast for his own legs and as a result strained a muscle so that memorable score was the last act of an excellent debut at stand off.

Rory’s fourth try of the game came soon afterwards as he slipped through another gap and raced through to score.

Credit is due to Lasswade, who didn’t lie down despite the score and who were creating some chances of their own. At length they converted one of these, a rumble over from close range which was duly converted to give them a well deserved presence on the score board.

Linlithgow hit back, however, with substitutes Finlay Mac and Angus C each adding their name to the score book in the closing minutes of the game which finished 67-7.

On a day when the team expected to win, we challenged them to perform and play outside their comfort zones, which they all did. The biggest credit to them was that if you didn’t know, I don’t think you could have said who was playing out of their usual position at all, with some fantastic individual performances. We kept our structure scored some great tries and gained some valuable experience.

So, once again, man of the match is a very tough call as genuinely every single player deserves a special mention.

Rory was excellent yet again and helped the other out-of-position players a lot. Also, you know, 4 tries.  Angus T had a terrific game, never took a step back and made some really good yards. Hugh was excellent, with really good running lines and great hands. Finlay took his tries extremely well and showed great awareness of space. Jay was superb, went looking for the ball and linked up smartly at the right time and at other times held his width, engaged his defender and made room for others to score.  And Joe was top class at scrum half, supplying quick and accurate ball as well as keeping the opponents on their toes with his ever-present running threat.

In the pack, the back row (Elliot, Alexander and Thomas) were physical, tough, rucked very well and also all showed great skill and judgement on the ball, with when to pass and when to run it in.  Angus and Finlay Mac made a real impact off the bench, each snagging a well-earned try. Fraser H adapted brilliantly to the very different pace and energy required in the middle of the pack and didn’t put a foot wrong. Alexander and Greg ended up playing on the wings (and Greg was very nearly in for a poacher’s try in the corner!) while Daniel, Fraser W, Connor and Cameron all managed to boss their opposite numbers and create a great attacking platform. 

The last word goes to two players who had days that I hope they will always remember.  For Aiden, after putting so much into training this season, it was his first time crossing the whitewash and onto the field of play for a competitive game. He was terrific, must have been nervous but didn’t show it at all and was dead keen to get stuck in with his team mates, who were absolutely chuffed to have him join them.  The other is of course Alfie who, playing the pivotal role of stand off for the first time, took it all in his stride until he over-strode and dinked his groin. He played like he was born to it, made great decisions and was excellent at picking out the right option and getting the ball into space. If that wasn’t enough, he scored a blinder of a solo try from inside his own half.  So Alfie is this week’s man of the match.