Whitecraigs  27 – 34  Linlithgow

Saturday 29 November 2025

Report by David Mitchell with photos to follow

The Reds travelled to south Glasgow to play Whitecraigs in this latest round of Arnold Clark National League Division 4 fixtures. The hosts won the season opening fixture in a disappointing game at Mains Park in August and the visitors were hoping to get back on the winning trail after 3 consecutive losses in the Division. There was a debut from the bench for Cam McHardy as well as a late call up for Ross Martin at Number 8 when Oscar Davies had to withdraw through illness. Andrew Graham made his 50^th appearance for the Reds and Freddy Adcock replaced Ewan Curran on the left wing.

Conditions were good overhead throughout the game, but the soft pitch took its toll as players on both sides cramped up towards the end. 

In the early stages, both sides found it difficult to string together any good passing moves and the game took 10 minutes to settle into any pattern of play, and the Reds began to put together some useful attacks. The opening score soon arrived after excellent set up play involving Ross Tulloch, Ross Martin and Andrew Graham. Thereafter the ball was moved quickly to the right flank where Jack Frame completed a lovely flip pass to Alfie Muir who released a charging Fraser Mochrie to romp over for a great try. Jack Frame added the extra points.

With an early lead, the visitors were keen to capitalise on this good spell and skipper Fraser Mochrie led by example in stealing a Whitecraigs throw in and then the ball was played deep into the opposition’s half. From a scrum in midfield the Reds pack drove forward and after several attempts to breach the home defence, the ball found its way to Jack Frame who spotted a gap and burst through to score a try to which he added the conversion.

With the score at 0-14 and in total command, the Reds needed to continue to exert the same level of control and build a substantial lead but some sloppy play after the restart allowed the home side to open their account with an unconverted try. This setback was made worse by the Reds coughing up a further 2 tries in the space of 10 minutes to give Whitecraigs the lead as the end of the 1^st half approached. A combination of some loss of concentration allied to brittle defending was the cause of this mini collapse but at least the Reds ended the half putting pressure on the home side and coming close to regaining the lead. 

Half-time:  Whitecraigs  17 – 14  Linlithgow

The 2^nd half got under way with the Reds moving early into home territory and showing much more urgency but also demonstrating a more focussed approach with improved levels of concentration. The Reds took the lead after a very solid scrum on the Whitecraigs 22 metre line when Ross Martin picked up from number 8 and fed Archie Rusack and he released right wing Luke O’Hara who offloaded an inside pass to support runner Euan Mochrie and the flanker scored an excellent try with a fine diving flourish. Jack Frame added the extra points.

From the restart, the Reds’ forwards showed great close control to provide a platform for Jack Frame to send a towering cross kick towards the right wing where Luke O’Hara plucked the ball cleanly from the air and had the presence of mind to realise that Ruaridh Stewart was available on his outside. Luke completed the pass to the centre, and Ruaridh stretched his legs to outstrip the remaining defenders and dive over in the corner for a beautifully constructed and executed move.

At this stage, the coaches made initial changes with Ross Plenderleith making a welcome appearance and Cam McHardy making his debut in the front row. The Reds needed to ensure that they did not repeat the lapses from the 1^st half, and they showed good discipline to keep the ball in the opposition’s half for long spells. They even extended their lead when Jack Frame succeeded with a penalty kick from around 40 metres. At this stage the Reds also introduced their remaining replacements with Stuart Cunningham and Cammy Murrie taking to the field.

However, all credit to the home side who responded with 2 unconverted tries to take the score to 27-29 with 10 minutes left to play. As the away support began to contemplate a late loss, the Reds did remain calm and contained play mostly in midfield. The home side were getting desperate and with time running out they tried to run from their own half by keeping the ball in hand at every opportunity. However, the result was finally decided when Stuart Cunningham put in a thumping tackle on the full back and dislodged the ball which obligingly popped up into the safe hands of Ruaridh Stewart, and he ran from halfway to score as the away fans cheered him on.

Final score: Whitecraigs 27 – 34 Linlithgow Reds

Reds Team

Front row: Calum McKeown, Kyle Ormond, Andrew Graham
Second row: Fraser Mochrie (capt), Eioan Magee
Back row: Euan Mochrie, Jamie Tulloch, Ross Martin

Half-backs: Archie Rusack, Jack Frame
Centres: Alfie Muir, Ruaridh Stewart
Back three: Freddie Adcock, Luke O’Hara, Ross Tulloch

Subs (all played): 
Cameron McHardy, Stuart Cunningham, Ross Plenderleith, Cammy Murrie

Comment

All in all, a great result against a stuffy Whitecraigs team which the Reds have struggled in the last 2 seasons. There were some exhilarating periods to enjoy but equally some lapses in focus and execution which could have been costly. 

Very solid scrummaging by the pack and good performances at the breakdown. The line-out functioned well with Kyle Ormond finding Fraser Mochrie consistently in a combination that is not the regular main pairing. Despite not having played so far this campaign, Ross Martin was really outstanding as he carried hard all day and pirated the ball from the opposition in the loose. The whole front row handled the ball more than normal and all 3 performed creditably. The back row was very prominent and special mention to Jamie Tulloch who tackled relentlessly as always despite the energy sapping conditions. Captain Fraser continues to show strong leadership from the front by example, and he was conspicuous throughout.

In the back division, the changed back 3 played well with Ross Tulloch relishing a long run at his favourite position of full back. Both wingers were involved throughout the match and Luke O’Hara is showing a real aptitude when competing for aerial balls. The centres had a lot of tackling to get through but did so manfully and both looked positive with ball in hand. Ruaridh Stewart is enjoying a purple patch at present and took his 2 tries assuredly. Archie Rusack again put in a strong defensive performance but also provided an effective link to both backs and forwards in open play. Jack Frame continues to grow as a game manager and has developed a fine variety of kicking options including the cross kicks on display during this game. 

This was the 1^st game in a series of 3 prior to the Christmas break. The success against Whitecraigs provides the perfect springboard from which to approach the upcoming home games against Dunfermline (6^th December) and Ellon (13^th December). A big crowd would provide a real incentive for the Reds to win the Dunfermline fixture and consolidate their mid table position.