Linlithgow 61 – 14 Hamilton Bulls
Saturday 22 February 2025
Report by David Mitchell and photos courtesy of Graham Black
A large crowd watched another highly entertaining win by the Reds as they concluded their home league fixtures for season 2024/25. Fine dry weather greeted both teams and despite a lively breeze, both teams tried to play with an open style in this Arnold Clark National League Division 4 fixture.
The home team fielded a strong line up boosted by starting returns for Oscar Davies, Euan Mochrie, Ross Martin and Luke O’Hara. The Reds kicked off with a significant breeze behind them and dominated the early exchanges including in the line-out after last week’s unexpected problems in that area. Hooker Kyle Ormond was finding his targets well and this provided regular good ball to the backs. Within the first few minutes Conor Findlay created the opening try when he reversed a long pass to Jack Frame who spotted a large hole in the Hamilton defence and he cruised through for a try to which he added the extra points.
This was followed by some sensible decision making as the Reds chose to keep the scoreboard ticking over when electing to kick for goal from just inside the Hamilton half of the field. Jack Frame thumped over a fine long kick, and this was closely followed by an easier one, after Conor Findlay had been tackled illegally, to give the home side a 13 point lead.
The next try was a real team effort that started deep inside the Reds’ half. Jamie Tulloch secured the ball from a Hamilton line-out overthrow, and he passed to the midfield backs. Ru Stewart made good ground before being stopped but the charging Ross Martin timed his run into the line perfectly and almost reached the try line when hauled down. After some frenetic attempts to cross the line, some good tidying up work by Cammy Murrie and Murray Johnstone allowed the Reds to create space on the left wing with Ru Stewart sending the supporting Archie Rusack in for the try that was converted by Jack Frame.
The next score came straight from the Hamilton restart when the ball was dropped by the Hamilton backs and Jack Frame collected it and flicked a pass to long striding Ru Stewart who ran fully 80 metres to score unopposed. The Reds kept the pressure on and scored their Bonus Point Try when Kyle Ormond found Oscar Davies in the line-out and the forward pack drove over the line with Jamie Tulloch emerging from the pile as the scorer.
Hamilton finally got on to the scoreboard with a forward’s try after some indiscipline by the home defence. The Hamilton number 10 kicked a nice conversion to take the score to 30-7 as half time approached. However, there was still time for another home try and after a charge to the line from Jamie Tulloch was halted, patient ball recycling was in evidence as the ball was shifted near to the posts and Kieran Cochrane showed great hands to slip the final scoring pass to hooker Kyle Ormond who made an extravagant leap over the try line to touch down. Jack Frame added the conversion with a kick onto the clubhouse roof where Director of Rugby Ian McLean was positioned to receive the ball, and he showed that class is permanent by safely fielding the ball and maintaining his balance at the same time.
Half time 37-7
Thankfully for the home team, last week’s strange 2nd half performance was not repeated although the first 10 or 15 minutes was scrappy with Hamilton upping their intensity and putting the home defence under some considerable pressure. The Reds did concede a converted try during this phase of the game and there was a definite drop off in some of the tackling. But the goal line defence held up well and it was more in midfield play that some of the tackling should have been better.
However, the Reds responded well and proceeded to dominate the remainder of the match with another 24 unanswered points being scored. Jack Frame settled the nerves a bit with a penalty kick and then completely took the wind out of the Hamilton sails when scoring a fine individual try. After good set up work by the forwards, Conor Findlay worked a neat inside pass to Jack who had spotted a gap in the Hamiton defensive line, and he burst through and sprinted 70 metres to score the try that he also converted. The visitors were visibly deflated by this score, and it was no surprise that there was still time for 2 more tries.
The replacements were all used in this period with Stuart Cunningham, Eioan Magee, Johnny Pegg and Calum Lindsay all getting game time and all making a positive impression. In fact, the next try came after Calum Lindsay, with a typical battering run, got held just short of the line but from the resulting scrum the Reds’ pack shoved the Hamiton pack back over their line and Oscar Davies touched down for the try. Jack Frame added the conversion in what was his last action of the day.
The final try of the day was scored by Stuart Cunningham who played a few parts in the move that led to the score. Firstly, he threw the ball in to a line-out and then he peeled around and charged towards the line before being stopped. However, the ball was recycled and eventually Conor Findlay spotted ‘Chunk’ in the back line and gave him a pass that he ran onto to go over without a hand being laid on him. Just like the old days for this popular scorer who never disappoints despite limited game time.
Conor Findlay converted the last try to conclude the scoring as the Reds ran out very good winners on the day.
Final score: Linlithgow Reds 61 – 14 Hamilton Bulls
Overall, a fine performance with 7 separate try scorers and excellent contributions from everyone in the team. This result keeps the Reds in 4th place in NL Division 4 on 47 points with only 2 games remaining.
A return to normal with only a small drop off in performance for a short period in the 2nd half and the ruthless nature of the try scoring both being welcome.
In the forwards the set pieces were much better than last week, and credit goes to the front 5 for the solid platform provided by them. The back row was effective despite Euan Mochrie and Ross Martin both being less than 100% fit as they still put in strong shifts alongside human dynamo Jamie Tulloch. Special mention to Kieran Cochrane who has really stepped up in the last few weeks and has put in some eye-catching performances.
The back division continues to fire well with Conor Findlay mixing up the attacking options effectively. The settled centre pairing is operating well in defence and attack and the wingers are seeing lots of the ball. Jack Frame continues his purple patch with another personal haul of 29 points to go alongside 30 against North Berwick and 20 against Greenock Wanderers to give him 79 points in February’s 3 games.
The coaching staff will be enjoying not only the continuity in selection but also the underlying competition for places which is undoubtedly the most competitive for many seasons
Currently the only scheduled fixture remaining at home is the National League Cup Quarter Final tie against Division 2 leaders Gordonians from Aberdeen on Saturday 22nd March.
In the meantime, the coaches are trying to find opponents, particularly for the 2nd XV, for the rest of the season.
Next week the Reds are away at Whitecraigs with a 3 pm kick off, where they will be looking to avenge the home loss at Mains Park earlier in the season.
Linlithgow Rugby Club 