Langholm  13 – 34  Linlithgow

The Reds secured their place in the National Shield quarter-finals with a four try away win at Langholm. A brace from Mark Caddle and tries from Ross Tulloch and Jack Frame were complemented by a faultless kicking display by captain Jack Frame with 14 points off the tee.

The Reds go into the QF draw along with Oban Lorne, Broughton, Carnoustie, Cumnock, Moray, Ardrossan and either Portobello or Livingston. (UPDATE: Reds drawn at HOME versus the winner of Portobello v Livingston)

Match Report by Craig Young

It certainly didn’t feel very spring-like as Langholm kicked off. It was cold with a strong breeze, but at least the pitch seemed to be in good condition given the time of year. For the first 5 minutes the home team pinned the Reds into their own 22 and they were rewarded with an early try under the posts, duly converted. With a succession of mistakes and poor decision making, the Reds struggled for another 10 minutes to clear their lines and the travelling supported were looking a little concerned.

It all started to come apart for Langholm after the 20^th minute.  A player was yellow carded, and, although Linlithgow declined to kick for goal (going for the scrum instead), they scored a great try in the corner scored by Ross Tulloch, Jack Frame slotting the conversion from a difficult angle. Both teams traded penalties before some great backs play, starting with Ross Plenderleith inside his own 22, and particularly Ruaridh Stewart enabled Mark Caddle to go over in the corner, converted again by Frame from the touchline. Linlithgow were now dominant in the game and another penalty from Jack Frame saw the half time score 10-20.

The home side started the second half better and had Linlithgow pinned back for a while. As Linlithgow came back into it, they had the chance to increase the lead but opted for touch instead. Almost immediately they created a huge overlap but the pass to the wing was deliberately knocked on by a Langholm player who received a yellow. This had prevented a certain try, however Linlithgow didn’t have to wait long. Under pressure from being down to 14 men, Langholm received another yellow card for preventing another try. It only delayed the inevitable by a minute as the Linlithgow forwards pushed over the line allowing Caddle to score his second of the game. The conversion from Frame was good. Linlithgow scorned a couple of chances ad the game drew to a close, until near the end when, from a throw in from inside their own half, the Reds won the ball and broke forward, creating a massive overlap allowing man of the match Jack Frame to score in the corner, a fine try which he duly converted himself. Just before the final whistle, a fourth Langholm player was yellow carded for foul play.

Final score 13-34 

Linlithgow now move into the quarter finals of the National Shield, due to be played on 23^rd March. After the match Reds prop Calum McKeown was presented with an award on his 100^th appearance for the Reds.

Linlithgow

Ross Tulloch; Cammy Murrie, Ruaridh Stewart, Murray Johnstone, Ross Plenderleith; Jack Frame (c), Archie Rusak; Andrew Graham, Kyle Ormond, Calum McKeown; Kieran Cochrane, Ross Martin; Jamie Tulloch, Oscar Davies and Mark Caddle.

Subs: Colin Devlin, Adam Buckley, Eioan Magee, Ewan Curran and Connor Findlay.