Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st April 2024

Young Reds S2s pipped in high scoring away match

Dalkeith  77 – 61  Linlithgow

Saturday 20 April 2024

Match report by Nick Drainey

End to end is a hackneyed cliché but this game lived up to the phrase.

The S2s were looking for strong opposition ahead of their tour to Northern Ireland and Dalkeith certainly provided some muscle to practice against.

The first half showed the fast rugby the S2s have developed pays off and they went in at the break well ahead. The second half saw the home side claw it back and move ahead but the team showed spirit and didn’t give in, showing the determination they want and need for the tour, and next season.

The game started with a great take by Fergus from the kick off which allowed Charlie to power forward and feed Archie to go over in the corner, followed by a Euan conversion. (0-7)

A break from Blair then countered some concerted Dalkeith pressure – they kicked it back but more fast play saw James break the line and go over before Euan made another good conversion. (0-14)

There was a great covering tackle from Callum when their flanker sped down the wing but they still managed to score (7-14) and then go over again from another break forward (14-14).

After Callum collected another high kick Finlay went over and Fergus had brought his kicking boots to take the extras. (14-21)

It was then Blair’s turn to catch a boot forwards and quick hands led to a Charlie try followed by another excellent conversion from Euan. (14-28) And just before half-time Archie converted his own try after going over under the posts. (14-35)

Dalkeith came out strong and one of their forwards broke through very early on. (21-35) A great covering tackle from Ethan Mc stopped another try but Dalkeith soon went over again. (28-35)

Three tries from Dalkeith followed after their “big guys” broke through to move the scoreboard in the opposite direction from the first half. (49-35)

In previous games the player’s heads would have gone down and stayed down but it was pleasingly different in Dalkeith. The team dug deep, regrouped and got a few more tries, starting with Archie who went over for his hat-trick. (49-40) Despite another Dalkeith try (56-40) Fergus went over after breaking the line following a line out. (56-47)

Dalkeith scored again (63-47) but Linlithgow were not giving up and Archie took his fourth try, converted by Fergus. (63-54) They broke through again (70-54) but Fergus then pounced on the ball after he had kicked it over the try line and converted himself. (70-61)

Force served Dalkeith well and they went over once more right on the final whistle. (77-61)

The attitude and grit shown by the players is exactly what the coaches have been looking for from the squad so it was great to see. And despite Linlithgow losing the game it was a great warm-up for the tour.

SQUAD

Ali, Callum, Connor, Finlay, Jack, Jamie, Lyle, Matthew, Rory, Zack W, Archie, Blair, Charlie, Eric, Ethan Mc, Euan, Fergus, James, Marshall, Will

Wee Reds at Boroughmuir Tournament

Sunday 21 April 2024

Reports from Carly Calder

P4 match report 

P4s we’re at the tournament at Boroughmuir on Sunday, with some fun in the mud. Great tournament as always with loads of teams taking part (including 5 seperate p4 teams fielded by the hosts) across all mini age groups. In our group, we had teams from Currie, Boroughmuir (x2) and Dalkeith.

The boys started off a bit slowly in the first game with a couple of easy tries given away, but soon came back to take the lead with some great running attacking rugby, some offloading out of tackles making space for others to score, and we held on to the end. 

The focus we’ve been giving to our tackling and defensive lines during training sessions are really starting to show, with some great try saving tackles, and team efforts all over the pitch. Whilst not keeping track of number of tries, we definitely scored more than we gave away. 

A great effort by all. 

P5 Match report 

A very small squad of p5s made the trip to Boroughmuir on Sunday. We were affected by illness and social events but as the sun shone on Saturday for what seemed like the first time in forever , 7 determined p5s were still keen to go ahead and make the most of the tournament. Things didn’t look quite so rosy in the rain and mud on Sunday but they gritted their teeth and got on with the task. 

Despite some scheduling issues from the organisers, we certainly gave 2 Biggar teams and Heriots something to think about. There were tries aplenty on both sides but without a doubt the Reds racked up the most due to their sheer speed and nimble plays or sometimes driving forwards with several opposition players hanging off us  When the reds didn’t have ball in hand , they were tackling their opponents with gusto. Working together as a team to take opponents out with 2 or 3 reds where necessary. Overall they had great ball carrying, driving forwards as a team and showed great courage from start to finish. With only 7 players , we were constantly rotating one off and it was very telling that they all came off breathing hard but within a minute or 2 were itching to get back on. 

Well done P5s, you did yourselves and your club proud!