What a couple of weeks for our Wee Reds P7s as they came to the end of their Mini Rugby days! Final competitive matches, concluding with a big win, a big fundraising event and a run out at the Hive in front of a sell-out crowd!

P7 final competitive matches as Minis

The Wee Reds P7s played their final competitive matches as Minis at the Stirling County Mini Tournament on Sunday 12th May. You can read a full match report with photos by clicking this link.

P7 fundraising event 

The Primary 7 Rugby squad rallied together on Friday 10th May for their fundraising event held at the Rugby Club. The families and friends of the P7 team were out in full force to support the team by taking part in the bottle stall, bingo and auction of the signed Edinburgh rugby shirt as well as treated to variety of prizes donated by friends, family and local businesses for the raffle. 

During the evening, the P7 team members were gifted their Rugby Club ties to mark their graduation from Primary 7 into 1st year at High School. 

A special thanks was given to the teams coaches – Tim, Euan, Dave, Mikey and Ritchie – for all their tremendous work and efforts over the years in creating the fixtures, games and embedding a true sense of community within the team. 

A super Night celebrating a super Team!

P7 Linlithgow Rugby Team ‘Guard of Honour’

The Linlithgow  Rugby Club Primary 7 Team were invited to Edinburgh Rugby’s stadium, The Hive, at Murrayfield, to be the guard of honour for the Edinburgh Rugby vs Munster URC league match. The P7 team welcomed the likes of Jamie Ritchie, WP Nel and Duhan van der Merwe on to the pitch waving their Edinburgh Rugby flags with pride. 

The P7 Team then displayed their Rugby Skills at half time with a 10 minute game against one another. Another spectacular event for the P7 Team to demonstrate the real sense of Team and community spirit!

P7’s Final Tournament at Stirling County 

Sunday 12^th May 2024

Despite a gloomy weather forecast the P7’s arrived at a sun drenched Bridgehaugh Park for an afternoon of fun rugby.

The 8 visiting teams were divided into 2 groups with a Stirling County squad in each group, neatly named the Castles (A) and the Monuments (B).

Linlithgow sat out the first game and watched the first 2 group games from the stands before playing their four games on the bounce against Stirling County Castles, Currie, Mackie, and GHA.

Game 1: Stirling County Castles 4 – 3 Linlithgow

With the afternoons sun blazing and the other group teams well warmed up, Linlithgow took to the pitch against the Castles, for their first match. The game set off at an alarming pace. Linlithgow struck first with Rory muscling his way over the try line. Unfortunately our hosts took umbrage to this score and responded with three tries in quick succession. The combination of a physical attack and powerful running seemed to overwhelm Linlithgow at points. Linlithgow fought hard to get back into the game against County’s A squad and it was with relief after some hard fought ground work from Callum was rewarded by a try with Nathan going overfor the reds second try. County got their fourth try and Rory, ever the competitor, finished with a flourish by scoring the last try of the game. This result was a hard one for the team to come to terms with having clawed back after a punishing period against a strong County pack. However, like most of this teams performances throughout the season, there were moments of great skill displayed. In particular, Max under the high ball who handled the pressure of the ferocious County pack and demonstrated great decision making.

Game 2: Currie 4 – 4 Linlithgow

With little time to lick their wounds Linlithgow took on Currie. Another fast game ensued with Linlithgow settling quicker than the previous encounter. Currie scored first, followed by a herculean response from Brodie who fought of tackle after tackle, bouncing players with aplomb. Currie’s counter attack was ruthless with a searing run towards the try line. Finn C showed great maturity by tracking and tackling the runner, before adeptly holding the prospective try scorer up, preventing what had appeared to be a sure try for Currie. The opposition went on to score 2 tries before Jay thwarted their defence and slipped through for Linlithgow’s 2^nd try. Finn C thoroughly deserved to get on the scoresheet with our 3rd try having tackled and fought bravely for his team throughout the match. Currie went ahead and the supporters had that sinking feeling again when Joe intercepted a Currie pass and ran in the eighth and final try of the game to leave things all square at the close.

Game 3: Mackie 3 – 5 Linlithgow

Game 3 also now known as Callum fest! Proved to be a more straightforward and less tense affair than the previous two frustrating games. This was largely down to Linlithgow playing the game on their terms, with a willingness to hold onto the ball and securing possession at key points throughout. Callum made his mark on the game early on, with players hanging off him he drove over for try number 1. Mackie responded with a well worked try. Callum’s first effort was good but his second try was super.  Showing his athleticism, he ran a tight line to the corner and timed his pirouette to perfection to score. This was closely followed by a thoroughly deserved hat trick try. In between all of this Finn C prevented a Mackie score with another defensive master class in holding up. Mackie went on to score 2 tries with Jay scoring in between by dipping and dodging his way through their defensive line. Rory completed Linlithgow’s victory by sidestepping his way over the try line. Valiant ball carrying from Finlay McD, Fin Ca, Cameron and Blair contributed to a solid team effort.

Game 4: GHA 6 – 2 Linlithgow

The final game in the group was against GHA who more than matched the pace within the quick Linlithgow squad. GHA had one winger in particular that was incredibly fast that persistently punished Linlithgow’s defence with ball in hand. GHA landed the first two tries of the game followed by a score from Callum who outmuscled the GHA pack to score. GHA replied with a further four lightning fast tries on the bounce. With things looking bleak, Ruairi was determined to go out with a bang.  He gathered the ball and shocked the opposition with a ferocious run to dot down at the corner. Jack fearless as ever made some crunching tackles and expertly managed the ruck. All credit to the Linlithgow team they fought hard to the final whistle.

Final placing game: Stirling County Monuments 1 – 7 Linlithgow

With the results in and the tries counted Linlithgow’s final game of the day was against groups 2’s – Stirling County Monuments. This was the P7’s final game of the tournament and their final game as P7’s.  The pre-match  instruction was , to go out and have fun and it was great to see a return to passing rugby, with the ball being switched from one side of the pitch to the other and great supporting shouts and runs. Linlithgow scored 7 tries in a row with the scorers as follows:

Rory (1) Abbi (2) Brodie (1) Finn C (2) Tom (1) 

The monuments scoring a well worked consolation try in the final minutes of the game.

Special mention has to go to Abbi who made superb runs along the side line and was rewarded with 2 tries, along with Brodie C and Finlay H who made excellent carries throughout the match. Finn C who was on for a hat trick with the try line in reach and unselfishly passed the ball to Tom to score Linlithgow’s final try of the tournament and P7’s last try. A fitting reminder of the values of rugby and team spirit instilled within this team by the excellent coaches and the player’s ever supportive families.

So after a hot and often tense afternoon of rugby, where every emotion was on display, the P7 team and coaches made their way to Bridgehaugh’s hospitality tent for a well-earned sausage roll. Giving this match reporter time to reflect on a thrilling season.

The P7 team have had some excellent results including:

·      Runners up at Maroon’d, Gala RFC tournament

·      Winners at the North Berwick RFC tournament

·      Winners at the Livingston RFC tournament.

It has been a pleasure to watch this team of youngsters develop as people and players, united by the wonderful sport of rugby. Having now been presented with their club ties, the squad are no longer Minis and we look forward to watching their journey through S1 rugby and hope that wherever life may take them, that they look back on their years spent in mini rugby fondly.