Saturday 18 April 2026

The Rugby Club hosted a touring youth group from the Bethesda Rugby Club in Bangor, North Wales. Two matches were played, one at u14 level (see Stuart Taylor’s report) and the other at u12, involving players from P6, P7 and S1 squads (see Gordon White’s report).

U14 Report

Linlithgow  61 – 27  Bethesda 

Report by Stuart Taylor

On Saturday, the Young Reds u14 had the pleasure of hosting a touring team from Bethesda in North Wales. Proudly sporting their club badge consisting of a yellow lion rampant the visitors marched from their tour bus in the spring sunshine with AC/DC’s Back in Black belting out from the teams speaker system. Clearly the team were on a high and enjoying their tour of Scotland. 

The Linlithgow squad consisted of a mix of u13 and u14 players for this welcome Easter holiday fixture. Both teams had a healthy bench and opted to play their older and larger players from the kick off. 

It was clear from the early stages that the Scottish and Welsh age grade rugby laws were different. Bethesda adapted well and put Linlithgow‘s defence under some pressure but it was the home team that capitalised with successive turnovers and running in 3 early tries from Jack S, Callum G and Finlay L. with Max and Nathan converting.Whilst the Linlithgow players and coaches could not decipher what the visitors were saying it was clear from the tone and body language that things were not going to plan for the Welsh side. With a renewed sense of urgency Bethesda pressed towards the line, eventually breaking through the Young Reds defence for their only try of the half. Jay demonstrated quick hands and nifty footwork throughout the first half and was instrumental in the reds fourth try with Archie racing over the white wash after a few well worked phases. Jay concluded the half with a silky try by collecting an offload from Joe inside the Young Reds 22 and running the remainder.  With the half time scoreline sitting at a healthy 33 points to 5 both teams gathered, with the travelling Welsh team talking the louder and more animated of the two. 

With both teams emptying their bench in the second half the game opened up a bit. With Bethesda and Linlithgow each running in four tries. Tries from Joe, Bailey, Jay and Lysander were successfully converted by Max and Nathan. 

This mixed squad of Young Reds should be very proud of their efforts against a well drilled, physical Welsh side. Both teams applauded each others efforts at the final whistle and a commemorative photograph was arranged followed by good Scottish rugby hospitality in the club house where Bethesda treated the Young Reds to a Welsh sing song and a presentation between the two sides coaches. Serving as a wee glimpse into what a rugby tour is all about for the Young Reds who are due to embark on their own rugby tour of France in May.      

U12 Report

On Sunday, the Linlithgow U12 side hosted Bethesda, who had travelled up from North Wales for the weekend. On the Lower Mains Park in some lovely sunshine (for a change) 3 games of 15 minutes were played. Cheered on by both a large home and away support group, all the boys put on a great show of rugby.

Despite a full warm up, the Linlithgow team, being made up of a selection of players from our S1, P7 and P6 teams, took a while to gel and adjust to the direct running of the strong Welsh boys. As the games went on, Linlithgow came together much better as a team, especially in defence and when moving the ball out wide when in attack.

After a brilliant enjoyable morning of rugby, everyone headed into the clubhouse for some post match analysis, juice and a lot of scotch pies!

Thanks to Bethesda for coming to play us.