This week we have full reports from three Young Reds’ matches – the U16s, the U15s and the S1s P(pictured above), but first here are all the scores:
Reds U16s keep up winning habit
Reds U16s 53 – 7 Watsons U16B
Saturday 21 September 2024
Report by Nick Smith
“Dreich” was probably the most overused word across the central belt on Saturday morning, but the grey misty skies didn’t dampen any enthusiasm for our second game in the conference against George Watsons. We prepared ourselves for a tough encounter and potentially an aerial assault. but it turned out to be a rather different game than expected.
GW kicked off and placed the ball on sixpence into Ali B’s arms. He showed his pace on fresh legs and broke deep in the GW half, offloading to Angus M who was in to score behind the posts. We were 5-0 up within the first minute. So it was with a sense of deja vu that GW found themselves kicking off again just 120 seconds later. This time they kicked well to the other side of the pitch. However it wasn’t long before we found ourselves over the try line again. This time the score followed a rumble up the middle from Micah, quick ball from Joe down the back line, Alfie straightened up the run and the ball found its way to Ali who was in for the team’s second.
It was impressive to see the boys delivering on what we practiced on the training ground. They set up their pods, sucked in the defence and then put it wide when the opportunity arouse. Alfie pulled the strings at fly half and made some great pick-ups off his toes at times and got his back line moving. This meant that we were a constant threat.
The next try came from some rather messy rucking with the ball changing hands with alacrity. Liam was the quickest to react, went blind and pinned his ears back to score in the corner. What followed was a momentous conversion from TJ defying the belief of coaches and spectators alike. He repeated the feat later in the game showing us it was in no way just luck following a try by Alex E in the corner.
The next try came again from what we have worked on in training: scanning for gaps. Micah hit up and was tackled just short. Alfie looked up and saw what was on and called for it on the blind side. He timed his pass to Finlay M who dived over to score. Simple rugby executed to perfection.
GW were experimenting with their kick offs and this time kicked directly to Ali Mac. He took the ball and needed no more invitation than this. He got his rather high knees pumping and charged through the GW defence to score.
We then showed some indiscipline and gave away a series of penalties. GW saw this as an opportunity and through a series of kicks and tap penalties made steady ground up the pitch. Eventually this carry-on saw them over line to register themselves on the scorecard.
We weren’t done though and it was clear that TJ wanted more than a couple of conversions to his name. He pulled out every trick in his box: crashing up, handing-off, side stepping, changing pace, dummying before finding his way over for his score. This took us to half time.
At this point we took a leaf from South Africa’s copy book and made a near complete change to our forward pack. This gave us fresh momentum to set about GW again. However this half was curtailed slightly with the rather one sided scoreline and a number of injuries to the GW squad meaning the game was drawn to an early close.
There was however enough time for Calum to charge over for his try and Finlay Mac to score after some great support play and offload from Angus M.
Despite some good individual tries this was a team performance. The structure was good particularly in the first half and the boys showed a real commitment in defence to not let GW play. There will definitely be tougher games to come but the boys showed that they can take learning from the training ground into the game.
There were a few contenders for Player of the Match. Joe had a strong game with some good accurate passing and bossing the breakdown. All of the forwards came close given their level of commitment, with Micah in particular showing real improvement in his understanding of the game. However this week it goes to Alfie who had a dominant performance at 10, bossing the game and making great decisions on how to get the attack moving.
A couple of other mentions to those age qualified and playing for the under 15s. Fraser put in a strong performance playing the full game, Daniel put himself about. Scott and Max came on in the second half with Scott putting in some “tough” tackles and Max really changed the tempo of the game. Jay also was his usual tough tackling self on the wing.
Looking forward to that midweek cup game.
U15s showing big improvements
Linlithgow U15 21-31 Musselburgh U15
Saturday 21 September 2024
A rather damp morning led to slippery conditions on Lower Mains pitch on Saturday. Several match balls were prepared in anticipation of ‘the burn’ collecting a few! U15 embarked on their second conference game of season, following a close defeat to George Watsons College the previous weekend. We knew Musselburgh would be strong opponents – we had been on the wrong end of heavy defeats in both S1 and S2 seasons.
The Reds started strongly with robust tackling in defence and worked hard on counter rucking. It was clear from the outset that the Musselburgh backline was quick, well organised with potential to attack at every opportunity. However the Reds patience paid off as the team worked hard to retain the ball and put together several strong phases of play. Our scrum was strong and after providing a solid foundation for play, James opened the scoring with a well taken try after some good passing interplay with Callum. Euan had his kicking boots on, converting the first of 3 tries (7-0).
Sadly minds were still revelling in taking the lead as Musselburgh responded immediately from the kickoff going over for their first try (7-5)!
It was clear that this was going to be a tight game – the power provided by Daniel, Fraser and Jason meant that we were always crossing the gain line and we really put the opposition scrum under pressure. Our tackling continued to be strong with Arran leading by example.
However, as is often the case at this level, a single missed tackle can be the difference and this, alongside a very well taken crossfield kick, meant Musselburgh scored 2 further tries before the break (7-19).
The Reds’ heads did not go down after half time as some aggressive direct running ultimately led to James getting over for his second try (unfortunately that was his last contribution due to ankle injury), and then some powerful running from Fraser (after several phases of play) allowed him to cross over – the Reds were back in it, with Euan converting both! (21-19)
Musselburgh turned to their strong bench and some decisive running and another excellent crossfield kick from their talented number 10 led to the final scores of the day. Final score 21-31. This was a close game, and it really could have gone either way on the day.
Although there were glum faces at the end of the game, the narrow margin of victory for the opponents (one of the favourites for our conference) showed the latent potential in the U15 squad which will come to life soon! The work on tackling, pod structure, communication and running ‘with depth’ is beginning to show. All of our squad are improving including Robbie and Noah gaining more valuable match time, and the experience offered by Daniel, Fraser, Jay, Max and Scott helped drive the squad forward.
Next week – Stewarts Melville in the conference.
Squad (all playing): Ali, Arran, Callum, Conor, Daniel, Eric, Euan, Fergus, Finlay, Fraser, James, Jamie, Jason, Jay, Max, Murray, Noah, Robbie, Scott, Will, Zack.
Stuart Ritchie
S1’s humbled at home by cohesive Musselburgh
Linlithgow 21 – 41 Musselburgh
Saturday 21st September 2024
Report by Stuart Taylor
Having given a good account of themselves in their League opener against George Watsons College, Linlithgow relished the opportunity to host Musselburgh for their second fixture. Not even the smirry rain could dampen their spirits as they warmed up with the knowledge that they were at home with four substitutes available – four more than they had the previous week. Looking onto the vast expanse of the main pitch the fresh legs were going to be needed for the 13-a-side game.
The home team started brightly with some good link up play between the two centres Joe and Jack S who fed the ball to Callum well inside Linlithgow’s half. Callum clearly had his porridge, as he made one of his famous juggernaut runs fending Musselburgh players whilst increasing his speed and crossed the try line placing the ball sympathetically for the conversion kicker. Nathan stepped up and converted with ease.
All the home side needed was more of the same, with a wee bit less lung bursting running and we would be set for an enjoyable morning’s rugby. However, Musselburgh soon ended that theory, when they intercepted the ball in the centre of the field from a sloppy Reds off load and quickly got the ball out to their wing who infuriated our defensive line by running the width of the field unchallenged. Finding a way through, he scored Musselburgh’s first try of the day.
A conversion followed and so did two further sucker punch Musselburgh tries with their last conversion kick of the half falling wide of the post.
Trailing by 12 points at half time the Linlithgow team and their coaches had much to talk about. Unfortunately, the half time chat and refreshments did not change the Reds fate.
With the ball getting greasy, Musselburgh’s no. 11 ran amuck and gathered up every unchallenged ball in space, leaving his wing and riskily running the gauntlet across the width of the field, scoring two more tries within the opening ten minutes of the second half. With one try converted and the other falling short, Musselburgh were leading 31 points to 7 as we approached the final stages of the game.
The only thing that was firing well in Linlithgow’s favour at this point was the oven in the club house, as the aroma of the post-match pies drifted across the playing field.
Musselburgh continued to punish Linlithgow at the ruck with effective passing to hand despite the slippy conditions, capitalising on the growing frustrations sweeping through the Linlithgow pack. Using every ounce of muscle in their squad, the visitors camped inside Linlithgow’s 22 and gained ground steadily before crossing for another try at the corner. Linlithgow watched on relieved as Musselburgh’s conversion kick dropped short.
While Linlithgow were missing their usual drive for a large portion of the match. The home support were encouraged to see more tacklers finding the mark as Musselburgh retreated into their half of the pitch. Positives shouts from some of the bigger characters in the group lead to improvements in the passing of the ball. Improved link up play between Jack B, Logan, Max, Ruari and Brodie lead to a herculean driving run from Finlay McD bringing the Reds within touching distance of the try line. With fire in his belly, Callum cradled the ball and broke through the Musselburgh defence for a try with Max slotting home the conversion kick.
Looking a bit more like themselves the Reds fought on with Blair, Jay, Finlay H and Tom keeping the ball in hand before a well-executed pop up from Nathan found the handsof Callum who completed a thoroughly deserved hat trick of tries. Max completed Linlithgow’s points for the day and maximum conversion points.
Musselburgh’s number 11 wasn’t finished and made the best of a Musselburgh handling error, gathering the ball up and cantered across the try line fortunately escaping a last ditch superman diving tackle from Callum.
The dreich conditions matched the host’s mood at the end of the game, having been beaten by a Musselburgh side who on the day executed the basics better, the sparks within the Linlithgow team failed to ignite on this occasion. But when they do, the results will be spectacular, like a well-choreographed fireworks display.
Linlithgow Rugby Club 