Linlithgow U16 44 – 8 St Columba’s School U16

Wednesday 25 September 2024

Report by Malcolm Dunn with photos from Neil Robertson

The Reds U16s had a comprehensive 44-8 win over St Columba’s School U18 on Wednesday at Mains Park in Round 2 of the Scottish Schools’ U16 Cup. 

Having had a fantastic day out on Tayside against Dundee High School, the Reds U16 had bought themselves another two weeks of daring to dream…

Round two saw us drawn against St Columba’s with a chance to progress to the last 16. Again a team we knew little about apart from losing to them narrowly in our last encounter 3 years ago in S1…

The rugby gods delivered a phenomenal weather report with sunshine and no wind and a dry pitch that had been freshly lined. It could have not been more inviting.

The Reds lined up to receive the kick off playing toward the club house and the whistle blew! Sadly the ball was knocked forward from the kick off and we put ourselves under needless pressure. Then a high tackle and things went from bad to worse. After a few more minutes of pressure the visitors crossed the whitewash and it was the Reds who trailed by 5. 

It was around now the post school chips and iron bru either wore off or kicked in, it’s hard to tell with 15 year olds….The  Reds having pressed well regained the ball and played some phases before earning the right to go wide where Alex E was ever lurking and finished well to tie the score line.

However almost straight from kick off Reds poor discipline allowed St Columba a shot at goal which they duly converted to go back out in front 5-8.

This was not the script the Reds had written before the game (perhaps in there layed the issue). One thing we know about this team is they are full of heart and can dig deep to get back into games. That’s exactly what came next, several phases, created some space on the outside and Ali B, never one to turn down a gap, set sail for the in goal area dotting down near the posts. Thomas added the extras and we were back in front 12-8.

Next came the try of the match, Angus M surged forward and we recycled quickly, the ball came back and went through the hands to find Ali M who seared through the line being brought down close to the 22, here quick recycling found the backs arriving as a line at pace and a wide pass gave Duncan space to go in in the corner, Bravo 👏 17-8.

The last play of the half saw Angus M’s solo effort returning kick off and scoring wide on the left. TJ stepped up and clattered over a remarkable conversion in the wind. 24-8 at the half.

The second half saw a dream start with an early score courtesy of Finlay Mac following a trade mark weaving run to put the hosts well in charge at 29-8. Three further scores came courtesy of Liam and Ali McC as the forwards began to overpower St Columba’s and then a final flash from Alex E to bring the score to 44-8. With the contest largely over and injuries wracking up on the St Columba’s side a request to call it early was made and granted.

Any win in a cup game is a good win and this was convincing. The boys though know this was not their best performance with lots to work on as there are tougher tests to come. That said when things start going against you it takes real heart and determination to get back on track and the boys twice went behind before turning round their fortunes! This week man of the match went to Ali McC with a try and fantastic performance in the loose…

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Reds U16s to play Dollar in last 16

This means that they progress to the last 16 where they will play Dollar Academy U18 in Dollar on Wednesday 9th October. That same day, The Reds U18s will take on Queen Victoria School U18 at Mains Park in the Scottish Schools U18 Plate competition. Good luck to both teams.