Linlithgow Reds 47 – 19 Dunfermline
Saturday 05 September 2026
Report by David Mitchell, photos courtesy of Graham Black
After last week’s defeat, the home side needed to bounce back with a victory in this Arnold Clark National League Division 4 contest, and they did so in convincing style. Conditions were very good for running rugby and both teams showed a willingness to attack from deep positions.
The Reds were without usual half back pairing Archie Rusack and Jack Frame and also had to contend without Calum McKeown and Luke O’Hara from last week’s starting line up. This resulted in Andrew Graham switching from tight head prop to loose head prop and the return of Colin Devlin in the front row. There were also 4 National League debuts for scrum half Struan McLean, winger Alex Hall, and Kai Hunter and Will Turpie on the bench. The last three named were also making their first appearances for the 1st XV.
Dunfermline kicked off and took the game to the home side with their heavy forwards driving strongly at the Reds defence and they scored an unconverted try after only 4 minutes. The home support was hoping for an immediate response, and this duly arrived following excellent work from the forward pack carrying on their solid scrummaging from last week. This set the platform for some powerful ball carrying deep into the Dunfermline 22 metre area and after several attempts to get over the line an alert Lewis McGill picked up the ball and dotted it down under the posts for a try that was converted by Murray Johnstone.
Lewis McGill crashes over to open the Reds’ account
The next try followed quickly and was a real team effort. Hooker Kyle Ormond found skipper Fraser Mochrie in the lineout and the ball was swiftly transferred along the back line with Ross Tulloch supplying the scoring pass to in form winger Ewan Curran to score near the corner flag. Murray Johnstone kicked an excellent conversion to make the score 14-5 after 20 minutes.
Ewan Curran steps the last defender to cross for his first try
At this stage the visitors were struggling to defend out wide, and it was no surprise when the Reds scored again. Alex Hall fielded a Dunfermline kick just inside his own half and he set off on a swerving run and showing genuine pace to connect with the rest of the midfield backs where Alfie Muir threw an excellent long pass, missing out 2 players, and finding a marauding Ruaridh Stewart who galloped down the touchline to score. At this point, Euan Mochrie sustained an injury and was replaced by Oscar Davies in the back row.
Ruaridh Stewart touches down for his first try
The Reds finished with 2 further scores to round off a very good 1st half. Mark Caddle ended a period of sustained forward pressure with a typically aggressive drive to the line where he stretched out to score a try to which Murray Johnstone again slotted the conversion.
Man-of-the-match Mark Caddle stretches out for a fine try
Then straight from the restart, Oscar Davies broke through on a solo run into Dunfermline territory before passing to the ever present Jamie Tulloch and after the ball was recycled it was swiftly moved to Ruaridh Stewart who cut through the defence and delivered a fantastic one handed pass to send Ewan Curran in for his 2nd try.
Ruaridh Stewart slips the ball to Ewan Curran for his second try
Murray ‘Muzz’ Johnstone’s conversion ended the half with the Reds holding a well deserved 33-5 lead.
Muzz stepped up to fill injured Jack Frame’s boots with a fine kicking display
The second half was evenly contested in terms of scoring, but the Reds were never really in danger of surrendering their healthy lead. They opened the scoring following a trademark pick up and charge for the line by Number 8, Mark Caddle, who was halted just short, but Jamie Tulloch swooped on the ball before executing a simple touchdown. Murray Johnstone continued his fine kicking from the tee by slotting another conversion. Dunfermline were still fighting for a Bonus Point Try and they crossed the home line twice leaving them just short of achieving the BPT and taking the score to 40-19.
One of the highlights of the 2nd half saw Stuart Cunningham execute a neat dummy and burst into the Dunfermline 22 metre area and get within 1 metre of the try line before being brought to ground. Chunk almost recreated his past glories which would have been a well deserved reward for this popular player. During the 2nd half, Chunk came into the front row, Kai Hunter came into the 2nd row, and Will Turpie replaced Alex Hall on the right wing. All the replacements fitted into the team seamlessly with solid contributions from them all.
Ewan Curran was denied a well-deserved hat trick of tries when he was held up from the try line by some good defensive play from the visitors, but this only delayed the final try for the home side. Following yet another barnstorming run from Ewan Curran, Kai Hunter carried on the move and eventually the try came when, under pressure, Alfie Muir flicked a pass to his centre partner Ruaridh Stewart who cut a great line back through the Dunfermline defence to dive between the posts and touch down. Murray Johnstone added the conversion to complete the scoring and round off a very satisfactory performance.
Final score: Reds 47 – 19 Dunfermline
Reds Team
Front row: Andrew Graham, Kyle Ormond, Colin Devlin
Second row: Fraser Mochrie (capt), Lewis McGill
Back row: Euan Mochrie, Jamie Tulloch, Mark Caddle
Half-backs: Struan McLean, Murray Johnstone
Centres: Alfie Muir, Ruaridh Stewart
Back three: Ewan Curran, Alex Hall, Ross Tulloch
Subs (all played):
Kai Hunter, Stuart Cunningham, Oscar Davies, Will Turpie
Comment
After a slow start, a very pleasing performance and result. The coaches and players obviously responded well after last week’s defeat. The scrum was again a major weapon, and the lineouts were much more productive with Kyle Ormond regularly finding his main 2 targets namely Fraser Mochrie and Oscar Davies. The platforms provided by these excellent set pieces allowed for a more flowing attacking effort and produced many scoring opportunities throughout the team.
The backs ran with real purpose and penetration, and the passing was much improved from last week. Ewan Curran and Ruaridh Stewart both grabbed a brace of tries and led many of the attacking moves on display. Special mention for Alex Hall who was drafted in at short notice and who tacked well, ran elusively and with real pace.
The overall defensive efforts were commendable particularly against some heavy and hard running Dunfermline players. The aggression shown was also good to witness in the well contested rucks and mauls and that needs to be a key component to get right in all the remaining fixtures.
Next week the visitors are Kilmarnock with a 3pm kick off. Last year’s game at Mains Park ended with a narrow win for the Reds and hopefully we will see a large crowd in attendance to witness a similar result.
Linlithgow Rugby Club 