Morrisons U16 40–59 Linlithgow U16

After the rain of Wednesday’s Cup game, conditions could hardly have been more different on Saturday morning. The sun was shining, the pitch was soft underfoot and everything was set for a great game of rugby as Linlithgow travelled to face Morrisons Academy.

For Linlithgow, this was another important test. The opening Conference game had shown just how demanding this level can be, while Wednesday’s Cup victory had provided a reminder of what the boys are capable of when they bring the required intensity.

The message before kick-off was therefore familiar. Know your role, focus on the next job and work together defensively to create the platform to play.

Linlithgow started brightly.

The return of Finlay Hogg at 10 brought real direction to the backline. His distribution and decision making helped keep the team moving forward, while the scrum again provided a strong platform.

Charlie was a constant threat from number eight, carrying with real physicality and repeatedly getting Linlithgow over the gain line. That forward momentum created space for Hogg to spot a gap and race through beneath the posts for the opening try, with Jack Stuart adding the conversion.

There were opportunities to extend the lead, with some good handling taking Linlithgow deep into Morrisons territory, but the home side began to grow into the game.

Morrisons had some big, powerful runners and punished Linlithgow when the defensive line became disconnected or tackles were missed. The momentum of the game began to swing back and forth, with both teams finding opportunities to attack.

At scrum-half, Jack Stuart was again at the heart of much of Linlithgow’s best work. His work rate was excellent, his distribution gave the backline opportunities to play and he showed good awareness of what was happening around him. Having repeatedly moved the ball wide, Jack spotted the defence anticipating the pass and took his opportunity himself, darting over for a well-earned score.

Finlay Love then produced another important moment. Reading the play superbly, he intercepted in midfield and raced clear to score under the posts.

But Morrisons continued to apply pressure. Linlithgow were not consistently getting set quickly enough or coming forward together in defence, and the home side took advantage. By half-time, Morrisons had edged ahead.

The boys knew the game was still there to be won. They also knew that doing so would require a significant increase in intensity.

When Morrisons scored again shortly after the restart, that challenge became even greater.

What followed was the most impressive part of Linlithgow’s afternoon.

From deep inside his own half, Charlie picked from the back of a scrum and produced a remarkable individual run. Showing the power he had demonstrated throughout the game, he broke clear and raced the length of the field to score beneath the posts.

It provided the spark Linlithgow needed.

The forwards increasingly began to impose themselves, carrying with greater purpose and generating quicker ball. Sam added another powerful score as Linlithgow began to turn forward momentum into points, while Jack continued to dictate the pace from nine and exploit gaps when they appeared.

With that platform established, the quality of Linlithgow’s attacking rugby began to show.

Bailey Law made a big impact, producing a powerful break that took Linlithgow to within metres of the line. Although stopped just short himself, the quick ball that followed allowed Louie to finish the opportunity.

Then came perhaps the moment of the match.

Mason Ewing made a huge impact from the bench. His work rate and tackling immediately stood out, but his try was something special. Collecting the ball out wide with plenty still to do, Mason backed himself, showed tremendous pace and power to beat the defender and finished superbly in the corner.

The reaction from his teammates showed exactly what the score meant.

Mason’s contribution was recognised with a thoroughly deserved Player of the Match, an outstanding performance from the bench capped by the try of the day.

By full-time, Linlithgow had turned a difficult first half into an excellent 59–40 victory on the road.

The attacking quality was there for everyone to see, but perhaps the most important lesson came from how the game changed. When Linlithgow raised their intensity, worked together defensively and allowed the forwards to create a platform, they showed just how dangerous they can be with ball in hand.

The challenge now is to bring that intensity for the full game. There will be difficult periods and moments when things do not go our way, but Saturday showed the importance of staying together, continuing to work and trusting what the team can do.

Do that consistently and this group has the attacking ability to give anyone in the Conference a really tough game.

A fantastic win on the road and another big step forward for the boys.