Young Reds U15s dig deep to secure the win

Morrisons Academy  21 – 28  Linlithgow

Saturday 3rd February 2024

Report by Malcolm Dunn

Linlithgow Reds U15s travelled to Morrisons with optimism high after a strong outing the previous week against North Berwick. The weather too had come through for us and we arrived in Crieff to a fantastic backdrop of sun in the mountains and high expectations!

Our last encounter with Morrison’s had seen a comfortable 50 point dismissal and the big risk was complacency which we talked about in the warm up, even so there was a sense in the warm up that the collective focus was a little absent.

The early exchanges were 50:50 with Morrison’s showing they were not going to go quietly with some strong running out wide and determined tackling. The Young Reds shape looked good and we held the ball for several sets of multiple phases, however lack of direction and intensity meant despite good ball retention we eventually made mistakes turning the ball over. It was though after about 12 mins it was the Young Reds who opened the scoring through the powerful running of Finlay Mac, after we achieved some good territory following a series of good offloads.

It was though only a few minutes later that the strong running of Morrison’s lead to a try at the other end and the score went to 7-7.

A second score from Finlay Mac, a well taken charging run beating several players with good feet. We hoped this might be the spark to drive the collective into action but again it was Morrison’s who hit back taking the score to 14-14 at half time.

The coaches know this group has great belief and determination and the second half was going to need plenty of that to gain an ascendancy. The Young Reds though were spending much of their time defending in their 22 unable to escape. Eventually though with Elliot Muir and Fraser W. Leading the charge the Young Reds started to make some ground. Christos and Greig also made valuable metres and finally following a scrum we went blind and Joe finished in the corner, Rory barely on the pitch knocked over the wide conversion 14-21. This looked promising!

Again though Morrisons hit back through a dubious pick up from our side of the ruck leading to a score, nevertheless despite protests we entered the final 10 mins at 21-21 and Morrisons sensing this was their moment.

Backs to the wall time, this team has been through a few close shaves and has a huge heart and team spirit. The lacklustre opening 30 mins was long gone and a steely resolve crept through the men in Red and what followed was the best 10 mins of the match. A series of heavy carries followed by good patience and ball retention brought the Young Reds within metres of the Morrison line. The ball came back to Elliot who had been at the heart of everything good all afternoon and had been a one man wrecking ball drove over to score the decisive try, fully deserved for his efforts. Final score 21-28 Young Reds win.

Steve McQueen would have been proud of this one and we definitely played our get out of jail free card. Credit to Morrison’s who were much improved but a valuable lesson for the 14 year old psyche. We were not mentally ready for the game and we were complacent. Fortunately we have a lot of heart and spirit and found a way through, the team talk was good though and the boys were honest and resolved not to let that happen again.

There were good performances in a number of areas our structure and retention was much improved. Alfie had a good game at 10 and had 3 important conversions from 3. Christos and Alexander went well and Max and Joe had  excellent games as well.

Man of the match though this week was fairly straight forward – he lead by example with huge intensity and made the most metres of the forwards fully deserving his match winning try. Congratulations Elliot Muir!

S2s trump Morrisons with an ace display

Morrison’s  22 – 80  Linlithgow

Saturday 3rd February 2024

Report by Nick Drainey

A numerically challenged S2 team travelled to Crieff rather more in hope than expectation but team spirit, and some great skill and moves, showed the players’ training pitch work was paying off.

The day started with quite a wind but it was crisp and bright and the ground in perfect condition.

Breakdowns were a feature of the match and in the first 20 mins there were quite a few which broke down themselves. Tenacious play led by captain Eric saw Linlithgow win the ball on a number of occasions, demonstrating grit and determination, even if the technical application was sometimes lost in the melee.

A practiced line-out move then led to the first try from James, followed by a good conversion from Euan. (0-7)

It was like the proverbial flood gates had opened. After good hands had brought the ball from deep Jason did well to get it out to Jay on the wing. The visiting player from S3 then sprinted to touch down in the corner, allowing Fergus to score a conversion. (0-14)

Some spirited play took Morrison’s close to the line but a great tackle by Charlie (one of many) and some good rucking by Zack and Daniel (another visitor from S3) saw the ball turned over. It went down the line with great speed to James who, from his own five-yard line, ran up the pitch, beat half their team and scored under the posts. (0-19)

Morrison’s did manage to finally break though (5-19) – despite a good, disruptive tackle from Will – but Linlithgow were not put off their stride. Connor made a great carry into the opposition half to set up a series of phases, ending when Euan broke through the line to go over. Fergus got the conversion. (5-26)

The game had been split into thirds and at the start of the second one a chip chase from James fell agonisingly short of his grasp. A scrum followed and number nine Eric picked and ran up the blindside, unselfishly passing out to Jay to go over, despite being virtually on the line himself. A good conversion in the blustery conditions from Fergus followed. (5-33)

It wasn’t long before Linlithgow were close again and, following a penalty award, quick thinking by Eric saw him tap and go before passing out to Fergus for the number ten to go over and then convert his own try. (5-40)

Oliver (guesting from Morrison’s – we were short) then got in on the scoring after running half the length of the pitch to the corner from a line out. (5-45)

James then decided he needed another hat-trick (he’s had a few this season) and intercepted on the half-way line before making a beeline for the posts. Euan converted (5-52) but the team were not done.

A backs move from the training ground saw interplay in the middle of the pitch from Fergus and James, leading to the inside centre’s fourth try. (5-59)

The third period of 20 minutes began with the tackle of the game, if not the season, from Louis. A tap to the ankle sent a Morrison’s player sprawling when it seemed certain he would score – a real try saver.

Charlie used a real burst of pace to break through and get another try, which Fergus again converted (5-66) before a period of scrappy play saw the hosts grab two tries. (15-66)

The Young Reds soon took back control with Fergus using his dummy pass to go over between the posts. (15-73)

Despite Morrison’s getting another try in the corner which was well converted (22-73) Linlithgow made one last push which ended with Daniel powering through charging bodies to score and allow Fergus to end the game with a conversion. (22-80)

The players left the field with heads held high and the coaches enjoyed their bacon rolls even more with the knowledge that training ground work was reaping rewards.

SQUAD: Ali, Charlie, Connor, Daniel, Eric, Euan, Fergus, James, Jamie, Jason, Jay, Louis, Matthew, Will, Zack 

S1s show great resolve in Morrisons defeat

Morrison’s  45 – 26  Linlithgow

15 S1 players travelled to Crieff this morning to play an u13 Morrisons team. The boys first seniors bus trip of the season and they took it in their stride … we’re told the S3 choice of music was awful 

Despite the improved squad numbers, we were short of forwards and Bailey slotted into the pack … one particular coach was excited to see Bailey mix it up in the forwards and he went about his business with some good direct running and tackling.

S1 was captained by Finlay Hogg at 10 today and he lead the boys about the pitch, linking up really with Jack at 9 and the two delivered quick ball on the attack throughout. Finlay scored the teams first and only try of the half which ended Morrisons 19 – 5 Linlithgow.

Morrisons scored early in the second half before Linlithgow organised and started to attack with a more purpose, Jack sniping over the line and converting his own try. During the remainder of the second half we exchanged scores, Adam running in two excellent individual scores with Jack and Gregor converting.

Full time score Morrisons 45 – 26 Linlithgow.