Linlithgow S2s  108 – 5  Bell Baxter / Howe of Fife S2s

Saturday 13 September 2025

Report by Alan Hunter

The Howe of Fife team arrived depleted in numbers and missing some key players through concussion protocols and injuries. It was clear there was to be little rest for their players during this game. Linlithgow on the other hand had plenty of subs in hand, with Baillie coming in for his first game with the team.

It was to rain but the early morning sunshine and light wind on the bottom pitch was going to make for fast-paced rugby, while up in the clubhouse the home baking sale was also off at a rate of knots, ending in a healthy sum being tallied up which would be going towards the funds for the France trip later this season. A big thank you to all the bakers, bowl lickers and sellers.

It was to be 16 tries to Bell Baxters/HoF’s 1. Howe missed their conversion, whereas we had an 87.5% success rate. Well done to Max, Rory and Nathan for striking the ball from the tee so well.

Bell were to be overwhelmed in the first quarter with handling errors giving the ball to Linlithgow and making it all too easy for them to run in 6 tries. They did however show great grit and determination by coming out after the first break and playing wide passing rugby but Linlithgow held firm in the defence line and thwarted their forward progress for most of the game. 

Max fed to Archie for score 1 up the left wing with a van der Merwe dive to save his feet going into touch before getting the ball down.

A fast ball from the scrum released Struan for a run up the right side of the field, which was finished off by Logan C, playing at prop today.

Joe jackalled from a ruck then broke several tackles before passing through Archie to Logan P who burst over the line.

A short restart KO from Max was gathered by Archie who powered through all the tacklers who were aiming too high to ground him for his second try.

Hard defending on the Howe line was eventually penalised for a high tackle on the 5m line. Logan C took it himself from the tap and went over for his second try.

Joe up the left wing was tackled just short but Archie came from the infield and got over again, even shrugging off a high tackle on the way.

Joe at full back took the high kick cleanly from the second quarter’s KO and went on a run, evading four players before finding Nathan who kept the momentum going with assistance from Rory. From the ruck Callum playing at scrum half took it on himself and ran half the pitch for his opening try.

Next to run in from halfway was Scott, who was kept honest by being chased to the line but just managed to stay far enough ahead of the tackler.

A series of penalties from Linlithgow allowed Howe of Fife to have their most positive period of the match. They were first held up over the line but then by using their backs, the wing got around the defence for their only try, which was straight from the training field.

Another Archie try through the middle was supported all the way by Callum and got us back on track after the blip in the proceedings.

Joe got a penalty after forcing Howe to hang on to the ball by getting over the top. Max went for touch allowing Logan P to throw in to the line.  Blair fromscrum half spun a pass out to Rory who jinked through to the 5m line when a full-paced Scott took the pop-up ball and was never going to be stopped from there.

Tom had a run at the line but was stopped short. Nathan ripped it out and Joe got a try himself this time when he found himself with some serious space after the defence had been drawn in.

Ruaridh had been working tirelessly being a pest in their defence, causing them to knock on and fumble through the whole game. This time Rory was on it, and Scott was again clear for his hattrick.

Lots of great link up play opened up Jay for a fantastic run in under the posts.

Howe were on the front foot again but a thumping tackle from Nathan caused the ball to be released which was accepted by Archie for his 4^th try.

Another promising kick through from Bell Baxter’s wasn’t regathered by them and Callum playing at no.8 had to run from his own 22 to get his hattrick.

At now over 100 points a line out gave Max from stand off the chance to run in the final try of the game.

Logan P received man of the match for putting in a shift and half, with many notable tackles and a try for the hooker.

We will look forward to a return match against then when they are hopefully up to full strength. Well done to the away team for keeping their heads up and showing glimpses of what they clearly can achieve.

There were pies and cakes galore to celebrate an emphatic win back at the clubhouse.