Linlithgow 38 – 12 Kilmarnock
Saturday 12 September 2026
Report by David Mitchell with photos courtesy of Graham Black
Kilmarnock were the visitors to Mains Park for this Arnold Clark National League Division 4 clash, and the crowd were treated to a real battle for the points. The Reds were without Ross Tulloch and Ewan Curran so this gave Will Turpie and Alex Hall further opportunities to build upon last week’s debut performances. Archie Rusack and Luke O’Hara returned to action, with Luke playing in his 50th game for the 1st XV. Euan McCartney gained a place on the bench in his first appearance of the season.
Neither side gained the upper hand during the early exchanges with defences being hard to breech. It was obvious from the start that the visitors were going to direct their main attacks through their big pack of forwards, whereas the Reds were intent on spreading play into the wide areas and stretching their opponents. Unfortunately, Oscar Davies sustained an early injury and was replaced by Euan Mochrie who was licking his lips at the prospect of a battle with the Kilmarnock pack.
The home side opened the scoring with a bizarre try. The Kilmarnock number 10 hoisted a high kick which landed just short of full back Will Turpie, but he managed to put boot to ball and set off to chase his own kick. The ball bounced awkwardly for the Kilmarnock defenders, and it then managed to bounce off the post protector and straight back to the home full-back and he dived on the ball to score one of the strangest tries seen at Mains Park for many years. Murray Johnstone added the conversion.
Will Turpie touches down after his speculative 40 metres half-volley!
The visitors replied with an unconverted try when one of their big forwards crossed the line to bring the score to 7-5. The home side extended their lead with a fine try from Alex Hall after good work in the build up by forwards and backs in tandem. Alex managed to wriggle clear of the last defender before stretching out to place the ball on the try-line. Murray Johnstone’s good kick from wide out unluckily struck the post and rebounded clear.
Alex Hall stretches out to score the Reds second try
The Reds created quite a few more scoring opportunities, but squandered them with some uncharacteristically poor passing and handling when simple passing along the line would have surely brought more tries. The half ended with the hosts holding a narrow lead of 12-5.
In the second half the Reds used all their replacements with the front row seeing action for the 3 original starters and the 2 front row replacements Calum McKeown and Stuart Cunningham. Right from the kick off, the visitors were camped inside the Reds’ 22 metre area as they continued to try to muscle their way over the line. However, the home defence held firm against waves of driving attacks, and the visitors began to run out of ideas and were visibly tiring.
“They shall not pass” – the Reds defence stops another Kilmarnock attack
The Reds were still under severe pressure and regularly camped in their own half of the field, but they recognised that gaps were appearing in the Kilmarnock defence and they ruthlessly exposed these gaps to score 4 more tries. Ruaridh Stewart rounded off a good attack by brushing past the last tackler and scoring a try which came at the perfect time. This set the scene for the remainder of the game with Kilmarnock continuing their direct onslaughts on the home line and the Reds exploiting any loose balls and striking from long distance.
The 4th home try gained the hosts a Bonus Point and was scored by 2nd row Lewis McGill who crashed over after great build up work starting with Mark Caddle flattening the visitors number 10 and delivering an inside pass to Euan Mochrie who took play close to the try line.
Lewis McGill goes over after fine work by Mark Caddle
Euan McCartney was the final replacement when he took over from scrum half Archie Rusack whose unflinching defensive efforts set the standard for his teammates. With the score at 24-5, the result was now in the bag, but the home side were not finished scoring. Ruaridh Stewart was tackled high but kept on his feet and broke clear of the Kilmarnock defence and released Euan Mochrie who sprinted from about halfway, right down the touchline, roared on by the home support, and he galloped over to the delight of his teammates. Murray Johnstone added the extra points to make the score 31-5.
You can see the determination in Euan Mochrie’s eyes as he sets off on his 50m try scoring run
The final home try was a well-deserved effort by the human dynamo that is Jamie Tulloch after another flowing counter attack. He consistently runs in support of his teammates and is often rewarded by scoring tries that are totally the result of his support play. Murray Johnstone added the conversion to complete the home team scoring.
No stopping Jamie Tulloch as he claims the Reds’ 6th try
Kilmarnock finally managed to score a converted try to make the final score:
Linlithgow Reds 38 – 12 Kilmarnock
Reds Team
Front row: Andrew Graham, Kyle Ormond, Colin Devlin
Second row: Fraser Mochrie (capt), Lewis McGill
Back row: Oscar Davies, Jamie Tulloch, Mark Caddle
Half-backs: Archie Rusack, Murray Johnstone
Centres: Alfie Muir, Ruaridh Stewart
Back three: Alex Hall, Luke O’Hara, Will Turpie
Subs (all played):
Calum McKeown, Stuart Cunningham, Euan Mochrie, Euan McCartney
Comment
A cracking result against a strong Kilmarnock side and moving the Reds into 5th place in the Division. Although the visitors played a one-dimensional game, they asked many questions of the home defence but were thwarted by relentless tackling and competition at the breakdown. The scrummaging was good by both sides and although Kilmarnock had a more effective line-out, the Reds were always competitive in all phases of forward play.
The home backs delivered some very good passages of play but squandered several opportunities particularly towards the end of the 1st half. As Kilmarnock began to run out of steam and ideas, the broken play opportunities increased for the home side and the 4 try display in the 2nd half was very efficient.
The team’s defensive effort was magnificent, and the visitors ran out of ideas to break down the Reds’ defence. In summary a defensive masterpiece allied to a ruthless attack, especially in the 2nd half.
Mark Caddle was voted man-of-the-match for the second week running!
Next Saturday the Reds go on the road for the first time this season with an away fixture at Lenzie with a 3pm kick off.
Linlithgow Rugby Club 