Young Reds weakened S3 squad delivers at Trinity

Trinity  26 – 76  Linlithgow

Saturday 13 January 2024

Report by Malcolm Dunn

Of the 13 days of 2024 this was unrivalled with both blue sky and a balmy 5 degrees with not a breath of wind. The setting wasn’t bad either under the gaze of Hogwarts itself!

This week had been a nervous wait to see if we could muster enough troops to take on Trinity as numbers were severely depleted with a school ski trip and several injuries…just as hope was fading the cavalry came over the hill in the shape of Tom, Liam and Ali…we saw Ali long before he got to the top of the hill…!!

Again it was a good opportunity to play a development squad with a number of players getting run outs in positions we wanted to see them try or start to make their own. We hadn’t played Trinity before so we knew this was a risk and could prove to be a potential banana skin…

The early exchanges were well contested with the first 5 minutes yielding no scores either way although Trinity were doing most of the early tackling. Gradually the pressure began to tell and Trinity were in reverse before Ali finished a series of phases of possession, the conversion was well struck but sailed just wide. 

From the following kick off there was a patient build up with the Young Reds gaining territory before a well timed pass allowed Finlay M to blast over under the posts.

From here a sure but steady stream of scores began to trickle in taking the score line to 0-48 by half time with Finlay M securing a hat-trick, his third receiving the full swalllow dive treatment under the posts.

The second half saw us swap our Trinity assigned players with Ali, Finlay and Alexander swapping with Greig, Cameron and Tom who had brought them up to full compliment in the first half.

The first 5 minutes saw something of a Trinity resurgence with two quick tries…or was it perhaps just a pitch that you could only score at one end on. Fortunately Chris was quick to dispel any hoodoo and after a barnstorming run from Fraser W enjoying the freedom at 8 today, Chris clattered over!

Next was a contender for try of the season with us on the half way line when Alfie spotted the overlap sending the ball down the line to Joe. Joe stretched the defence on the outside but created space for an inside ball to Fraser W, it then went through several pairs of hands (all forwards) passing with precision  and running from deep taking us up to within 10 metres. Then a rampaging Daniel caught up with play took the final pass and powered over from 7-8 meters shrugging off some determined tacklers. It was his first try of the season and well deserved.

Fraser H, having seen Daniel bag his first score, decided it was time to get in on the act and took a tricky pass off his toes and went over also for his first of the season. He was clearly enjoying a stint at scrum half.

Ali then feeling he need to neutralise his impact on the game scored his second for the opposition cancelling out his two for us  in the first half.

The last score worthy of mention was Jay’s first try…after a strong thrust from the forwards Alfie and Angus combined to release Jay cantering for the corner….the cover was stretched and the last man attempted to take Jay’s head off with a rather exuberant high tackle. Fortunately Jay’s quick feet kicked in and he evaded the defender with minimal contact and to his surprise found himself over the try line. As he placed the ball for his first try of the season the stand in ref for the day pulled him back and awarded Jay a penalty. Joe took a quick tap and finished the job…however a call came in from the nearby TMO van judging Jay to have put the ball down before the whistle and the stats shall therefore show Jay as the try scorer…a hat-trick of debutants!

The second half ended 26-26 with lots that both teams could take from the game. The overall score 76-26.

It’s not easy getting back into a physical game after a 4 week lay off but the squad were brilliant today and even in a fairly one sided affair kept their shape and going through the routines we’ve practiced many time on the training field rather than turning into a mob of glory hunters.

The front row looked in control from the off, Cameron Chris, Alexander, Tom, Daniel and Connor all had good games with Chris and Connor making notable carries.

It was a formidable second row in the shape of Ali and Greig, Ali was great in the loose while Greig did a lot of unseen work in the tight but had a few powerful runs of his own. The back row played well with Liam’s fantastic efficiency at the break down and ability to sport a gap complemented by Finlay’s athletic all round performance. Fraser really enjoyed a freer role at 8 and was never far from the action. Aiden also played his first full half and had a great attitude giving it everything for his teammates.

Our scrums halve and full back pair of Max and Fraser playing a half in each position worked well with Max really showing his service is much improved to go along with his smart decision making.

Alfie looked like he had been playing stand off for years and now seems to have added place kicking to his growing repertoire! Angus T didn’t get a try but he made some great runs getting us on the front foot and also moved the ball quickly to create width and space. Finally M had a powerful attacking game and well deserved his hat-trick. Jay and Joe managed to both threaten and link in equal measure and allowed us to keep our wide shape.

MOTM this week goes to skipper extraordinaire Fraser W. Making 60 mins look easy in a free roaming 8 role. He rucked tackled and carried making a huge impact in both defence and attack showing a real maturity… all that while being skipper!

Banana skin avoided….

Under strength S1 squad too strong Trinity

Linlithgow S1 55 – 17 Trinity

Saturday 13 January 2024

Report by Sean Stewart

Saturday saw a depleted S1 team face a visiting Trinity side with similar small numbers. At kick off, ten-players faced Trinity’s eleven allowing lots of space for a game of running rugby.

In what has become their trademark, S1 preferred to let their opposition score first, with Trinity running in the first try of the game.

Soon after, the game opened up with some lovely passing and a try from Finlay H, two from Adam TS and one in reply from Trinity. Gregor W and Jack S added a conversion each, leaving the first third score at 19-10 to the home side.

Linlithgow started the second third strongly and continued to put pressure on Trinity’s defence with successive line breaks. A new player, Jack O, with only a few training sessions under his belt, came on to even up the numbers and had a great debut, with some impressive tackling and support running.  A try from Bailey L, two from Gregor W and one from Jack S, followed by a conversion each from Jack S and Finlay H, saw Linlithgow score twenty-four unanswered points.

In the final third, a few poor kicks allowed Trinity some much needed possession, which they capitalised on scoring a converted try. However, another two scores from Adam TS and a conversion from Gregor W saw Linlithgow stretch their margin of victory to the final score of 55-17.

Linlithgow S2 81 – 5 Dunbar

Saturday 13th January 2024

Report by Paul Saunders

Following the Christmas break, and after several weeks of no games due to call offs and the holidays, the S2 Reds were eager for a home game on a sunny cold crisp morning in front of the clubhouse.

Linlithgow started the game with an intensity and attitude that lasted most of the game. They took the game to Dunbar, never giving Dunbar much time on the ball and forcing turnovers that the Reds turned into scores. Good passing and offloading broke the Dunbar line and aggressive rucking pushed Dunbar onto the back foot, having to give up ground to try and stem the Reds progress.

The early second quarter, after some substitutions, did see the Reds lose some momentum, giving away a try but showing some good defence in the five-yard area. The Reds re-grouped, regaining their dominance to finish the first half with a 45-point lead.

For the second half, Linlithgow used the opportunity to play players out of position, however this did not stem the Reds progress with continued good rucking, passing and defence, preventing Dunbar getting into the Reds half.

Well done to all the players. They showed a determination, attitude and will to win, sought by the coaches, that retained continued momentum throughout the game.