Linlithgow  29 – 29  Currie

(at the “Hive” stadium, British Gas Murrayfield)

Saturday 23 March 2024

Report by Graeme Miller

On Saturday the 23rd of March, the U18’s travelled into the Hive Stadium at Murrayfield to take on Currie in the final of the East of Scotland Cup.

With a few injuries, not least of all, captain Johnny missing out from a concussion the week before in the semi-final, the boys were very exited to prove themselves on the big stage; they didn’t disappoint.

The Linlithgow boys started brilliantly, running against the strong wind in the first half with great interlinking play between both backs and forwards. This led to the first try after just five minutes from Flanker Euan. However, just 3 minutes later, while we were defending close to our own line, there was a miscommunication at the back of the scrum and Currie managed to get over and convert. 5-7 to them.

The end-to-end game continued with stand off Alfie cutting the midfield open and flying over for our second try after 12 minutes making the score 10-7.

The score was set to stay this way until right on half time, Currie managed to break the Linlithgow defence right in the corner to go 10-12 up at the break, although some of us weren’t so sure of the grounding!!

However, the Linlithgow side must have listened to the coaches “wise words” at the half time break and stand-off, Alfie went over again for his second try just after 3 minutes with full back Fraser converting, taking the Reds U18s back in front at 17-12.

The battle continued and Currie were making strong runs against the wind and the Linlithgow boys were starting to fall off some tackles. Currie managed to score an excellent try in the corner through great interlinking play from their backs. 17-19 after 15 minutes with an excellent conversion.

End to end play continued and the tide turned once more to Linlithgow with centre Jack crashing over to score our fourth try making the score 22-19 after 18 minutes but, of course Currie were not done! Their continuing strong play, centred around their captain and No.8 started to prove real problems for us and we didn’t exit our own line properly and allowed them possession. Their pressure and strength lead to them scoring again and retaking the lead at 22- 24 with only 121 minutes to go.

With time running out, we gained possession from the kick off and maintained pressure in the Currie half and after numerous plays, our other centre Rory gave us the lead once more with the fifth and last try, plus full back Fraser converting, 29-24.

All we needed to do was to last 4 minutes but Currie had other ideas. Again, their strong runs resulted in us falling off some tackles and we started to lose a bit of discipline and gave a few penalties away giving them great, free yards. This resulted in their live-wire scrum half scrambling over to make the score 29-29 in the dying 2 minutes.

The Linlithgow boys didn’t let this stop their enthusiasm to try for the win and we gained possession from the kick off and pressed the 22 from, again some strong phase play between both forwards and backs. However, second row Ethan went down injured with a suspected broken ankle and play was stopped for obvious safety reasons, right on full time, with Linlithgow in possession.

It was decided to finish the game there and then and the referee and officials consulted about the result. After, having to look up the rule book, it was declared a shared win for both sides!

A brilliant display of rugby from both sides willing to run the ball about a very windy Hive stadium. A huge thanks must go to the Reds U16 side who travelled through and made loud, encouraging chants along with what seemed like half of Linlithgow to support the boys. Thank you to all.