Sun 28^th Jan 2024

To keep all the players warm they played half matches, then rotated between clubs.

Results:

Game 1 McLaren 4 – 3 Kinross
Game 2 Linlithgow 3 – 0 Kinross
Game 3 Linlithgow 6 – 0 McLaren
Game 4 McLaren 6 – 1 Kinross (Aggregate 10-4)
Game 5 Linlithgow 2 – 2 Kinross (Aggregate 5-2)
Game 6 Linlithgow 6 – 0 McLaren (Aggregate (12-0)

Great to see 16 players arriving after their journeys over the Forth. The pitch was in good shape but there was definitely an advantage to the team with the wind behind them and playing downhill. A mixture of P6 +7’s in the other squads, meant that P6 rules were adhered to, with no contested scrums, no line outs or hand offs.

In the spirit of the day all Linlithgow players had a turn in the opposition strips putting in immense efforts whether they were in their usual red or bumble bee colours! While playing for McLaren there were some outstanding tries from Callum (1), Abbi (1) Max (2) and Jay (2).

Game 2            Linlithgow       3-0       Kinross

Linlithgow were out of the blocks fast with Logan making ground in the middle of the pitch and getting the ball out to the wing before Kinross showed they were no pushover and putting in a thumping tackle to prevent an early try. Max and Jay were dominating the tackles all over the field, one of which resulted in a turnover ball again spinning out to the left wing, allowing Finlay H to go over for a score up the touchline.

Joe’s tackling and jackaling created turnover balls which allowed him to launch attacks time and time again throughout the day. Brodie was next to get over the line, this time on the right wing but Kinross just managed to apply enough pressure to get him to clip the touchline.

Kinross remained under pressure and kicked the ball away from their own line, which was collected by Abi, moved through the centres to the left wing, then back again from a quick ruck ball to the right wing again. This seemed to make the coaches very pleased. Rory, still with his bobble hat on made a penetrating run jinking through flailing tacklers, confusing the defense after such wide play for a terrific individual try.

Kinross weren’t giving in and it took a try saving combination of tackles from Finlay Campbell and Cameron to keep them from crossing the line. They kept kicking away the ball allowing Finn Cunningham to run it straight back at them with support from Max who evaded several tackles before going over on the right wing.

On the final whistle Callum driving forward, supported by Archie fell just short of a fourth try after a slight knock on.

Game 3            Linlithgow        6 – 0     McLaren

Set, set, set was ringing around King George V park as both teams faced up, this time with Linlithgow challenged by the wind and slight gradient. As the scoreline showed neither of these were a factor in this 8-minute encounter.

Joe quickly got over the line for a score from the left wing after more quick ball through the hands of the backs. Callum’s power and speed then sliced through in the centre of the pitch leaving McLaren with the uphill battle. Decisions were going Linlithgow’s way and Logan took a quick tap, passing out to Rory who fed Finlay H for a third in quick succession. McLaren fought back and had a better period before Finn Cunningham found space and Archie got over the line; even with a defender tackling him around the neck. The team didn’t want to concede a try so there were some ferocious hits going in when Callum intercepted a loose high pass and offloaded to Brodie who identified space and weaved to stretch the lead further, with support on his shoulder that wasn’t required. Max was set up with quick passing from the “lineout” and straightened up punching through the middle for a sixth.

Game 5            Linlithgow        2 – 2     Kinross

This was a tough game with the sides equally matched. Excellent defense but Kinross just kept pushing and driving until Jay covered half the pitch after a pickup from the floor. Kinross opted to kick from a tap but Finn Cunningham caught it and would have been over for a first if it wasn’t for stepping into touch. The big players from Kinross eventually made it through with the first conceded try of the day. Logan made ground from the re-start and Rory finished the Reds try reply. It was then Kinross’s turn to get one back with one of the best tries of the day linking together almost every player in a series of quick passes. It was end to end play with Rory (still sporting his hat) eventually getting the equalizer.

Game 6            Linlithgow        6 – 0     McLaren

Brodie took full advantage of some excellent rucking and evaded three tacklers to go over on the right wing. Jack and Finlay Campbell linked up Tom who made ground before Fin Cunningham got over. Logan continued to push forward before Joe appeared again, this time on the right to score. Jack almost got over but was held up on the line but his support of Jay was rewarded with a score shortly after. Archie drove over the ruck clearing out 2 players making time for the scrum half to spin the ball through the hands to Abi on the opposite side of the park for a well worked try. Blair had a great game with McLaren and helped keep the scoreline from increasing even more. McLaren kicked away again and as they forgot to chase the ball Callum collected and was right back at them linking through Tom to Joe once again to seal another 6-0 victory over the gold and blacks.

So many positives to take away from today’s team performances.