Feature by Gordon Muir (u18 coach and Rugby Club Board member)

A great day’s rugby on Saturday saw the end of the competitive season for the club’s First XV and our Under 18s – games that are brilliantly described in this week’s match reports so I won’t rehash that here. 

Both teams finish their respective seasons having put in some some terrific performances, achieved some memorable results as well as perhaps regretting one or two that got away. And, as has been captured elsewhere, both have also shown real progress this season both in terms of results and in individual and collective development. 

One notable factor in Linlithgow’s success has been the club’s amazing ability to grow our own, with 27 of the 33 players who have represented the Reds this year having come through our Youth teams over the years.

Those of us lucky enough to watch the U18s on Saturday morning and the Reds in the afternoon were struck by a “passing of the baton” moment; while the “Class of 2026” marked the end of era as they leave our Youth ranks, three of the “Class of 2025” played their part in the afternoon’s famous victory over the previously undefeated Cartha Queen’s Park, with a good few more watching on in the crowd. 

The 3 from last year’s u18s who played in the Reds win against Cartha on Saturday afternoon: Lewis McGill, Cammy McHardy and Alfie Muir

“Class of 2026” Graduates

Wherever life and rugby take our graduating U18s, we hope it’s not the last we see of them at Mains Park and turning out for the mighty Reds!

This year’s u18 graduates pictured after the u18’s win at Myreside on Saturday morning: Thomas Junik, Conor McGurk, Will Turpie, Aidan McCavish, Kai Hunter, Martin McElwee, Alfie Woods, Ross McBain, Ruaridh Barlas and Cammie McCallum.