Stewartry 19 – 43 Linlithgow Reds
Saturday 3 October 2026
Report by David Mitchell with photos courtesy of Graham Black
Castle Douglas was the venue for the latest Reds road trip in this Arnold Clark National league Division 4 fixture. After last week’s home loss against Garnock, it was essential that the visitors got the full 5 points in a game where the result was much more important than the performance. With several key players not available, it allowed another young player the opportunity to gain selection, and Lewis Smith duly took his place on the replacement’s bench. Playing conditions included a tricky wind and a well grassed but soft surface.
The Reds opened the scoring after only 5 minutes when, after a quick tap penalty taken by Jamie Tulloch, Euan Mochrie continued his fine scoring spree with a try. To their credit the home side responded well to this setback and scored a converted try when one of their players went over from close range to give the home side the lead. Play was then bogged down in midfield with neither side able to string together any significant passages of play.
Midway through the half, the Reds managed 2 further tries. Firstly, Alfie Muir slipped past his opposite number and showed great awareness to release Aidan Rennison with an inside pass and Aidan scooted over the line to touchdown under the posts. The next try was well worked with many of the team involved. Ross Tulloch fielded a high ball just inside the home half, and after a good interchange of passes Lewis McGill offloaded a slick pass to Eioan Magee who cantered over for a well-deserved try. Both tries were converted by Murray Johnstone to give the visitors a half time lead.
Half time: – Stewartry 7 Reds 19
Despite a 12-point lead, the performance level was relatively poor with too many missed opportunities due to poor handling and passing, and the lack of patient build up play that would have surely seen a few more tries for the Reds.
Mark Caddle was injured and replaced by Lewis Smith, and Calum McKeown came on for Andrew Graham.
The visitors coughed up another short-range try when a Stewartry prop barged over to reduce the deficit to 12-19. However, the Reds responded quickly when, after a period of pressure on the Stewartry goal line, the ever-reliable Jamie Tulloch fought his way over the line to score. Murray Johnstone added the extra points.
Euan McCartney and Cammy Murrie appeared from the replacements bench midway through the half to try to freshen up the attack. But the next score went to the home side when their centre intercepted the ball and ran half the length of the pitch to score a converted try and reduce the score to an uncomfortable lead of only 5 points.
Thankfully for the visitors, the final 10 minutes saw 3 additional tries as the home side tired and the Reds took full advantage of their opportunities. Alfie Muir sprinted fully 25 metres to score and this was followed almost immediately with Aidan Rennison’s second try of the game after he cruised through a gap to touch down. Murray Johnstone added the extra points to both tries to give the Reds an unassailable lead with only a few minutes remaining in the match. There was still time for a closing try to the game when Euan McCartney threw a long pass to Cammy Murrie who rounded his opposite number and touched down.
Final score: – Stewartry 19 Reds 43
Reds Team
Front row: Andrew Graham, Kyle Ormond, Colin Devlin
Second row: Eioan Magee, Lewis McGill
Back row: Euan Mochrie, Jamie Tulloch, Mark Caddle
Half-backs: Archie Rusack, Murray Johnstone
Centres: Aidan Rennison, Alfie Muir
Back three: Alex Hall, Luke O’Hara, Ross Tulloch
Subs: Calum McKeown, Lewis Smith, Euan McCartney, Cammy Murrie
Comment
As stated above this game was all about the result. 7 tries sounds good but the team could easily have doubled their try count with a more controlled performance and ruthless finishing. Too many passes did not find their target and there was a frantic element about some of the play.
The match was too tight for at least 60 minutes with the Reds unable to finish the job until the final 10 minutes against struggling opponents. In terms of positives, the defence was generally strong and the forward set pieces were competent. Also, there was some attempt to change running lines in the back division, but more is still needed to ensure that the team can offer a more varied attack.
In terms of areas needing more work, the quality of passing and general open play handling still has some way to go to allow flowing rugby to return. Some of the play was very chaotic with little or no patience being on show.
The individuals in the team are all capable of producing good performances but collectively there seems to be a lack of confidence as a group. Next Saturday is a free week for the 1st XV so there is a 2-week window of preparation for the next fixture at home to Division 4 leaders Ardrossan Accies.
