Linlithgow 2s  17 – 71  Ayr 3s

Saturday 06 December 2025

Report by Graeme Miller

Any observer at Mains Park on Saturday watching the visiting teams arrive could be forgiven for thinking that the stronger opposition team in looks and stature was actually the Reds 2nd XV opponents (Ayr) rather than the Reds opponents (Dunfermline). 

Indeed it was a very strong Ayr 3rd XV team that travelled through to Linlithgow on Saturday, bolstered by a good number of their 2nd XV squad as their own 2nd XV fixture had been cancelled. Given that Ayr are the top rugby club in Scotland at present, this resulted in the Reds 2s being rather outclassed for significant periods of the game. However, the players hung in and were eventually rewarded with three tries.

At half time the home side were 38-0 down and hadn’t really had much possession with which to compete. However, the second half was more successful for the home side as the Reds 2s started to put together some phases, which resulted in 3 tries. 

The first one was from Ali Burns after 11 minutes a came from a period of great pressure from a penalty and phase play. The second try was scored by Alex Hall after 14 minutes, coming from a kick through from Reds stand-off Ruaridh Macleod and was converted by Murray Johnstone making the score 12-38. 

Our final score came from Ross Plenderleith after 30 minutes, the result of pressure from a number of penalties the Ayr team gave away. In between times though, Ayr continued to run in tries from their better strength and pace.