Guyancourt 2009
AS Minorange (Guyancourt) 17 – 10 Linlithgow RFC Select XV
Linlithgow RFC
Jon Blundell; Stuart Cunningham, Matt Dixon (capt), Matt Crosby, Andrew McGown; Ewan Kelly, Barry McKeown; Stuart Gordon, Gary Laing, Des Martin, Colin Blair, Ian Blair, Don Cameron, Euan Richardson, Robbie Richardson.
Subs (all played): Nick Chadwick, Rob Reid, Gregor Kelly, Kieran Ward
The two teams after the match
This game was very nearly not played at all. With the original venue frozen over, the teams had to drive to another town 30 minutes away where the pitch, although covered in snow was soft enough underneath to be playable. The sun helped warm the players and melt the snow, but it was still a cold day for the spectators!
Pitch before match
The body language of the Linlithgow players was less than convincing as they took the pitch, many looking jaded from the over-exuberance of the welcome function the night before! Indeed, Mark Green, while managing to get to the ground, didn’t actually make it on to the pitch!
Opening kick-off
This is an annual fixture that Linlithgow has dominated over the years, with the French only having a couple of victories to show over more than 20 matches, so expectations on the Reds were high. However the home side had other ideas and took the game to Linlithgow from the beginning. They scored a good try early near the posts as Linlithgow struggled to get into the game, however the conversion was missed.
First French try
Linlithgow received a blow after only 5 minutes as winger Andy McGown went off injured, requiring medical attention, after tackling the home side’s version of (Sebastien) Chabal. Another penalty to the French allowed them to score another try between the posts, however the kick was again wide of the mark. By this time the French were inspired and their centre was creating space at will. Only a last ditch tackle by Chunk in the Reds’ 22 spared another try.
French launch early attack
Eventually Linlithgow mounted a great attach, led by veteran Des Martin, but he fell just short of the try line and there was not enough support to make the final push. From the resulting clearance, the home side ran up the park into the Linlithgow half again. At last Linlithgow came into the game and after great play by Gary Laing on the wing followed by Des, Linlithgow were awarded a penalty in the French 22. Barry McKeown, playing scrum half, took the tap and passed to flanker Euan Richardson, who blasted his way over near the corner. Matt Dixon missed the conversion.
Les goes over for Reds first try
Half-time: AS Minorange 10 Linlithgow 5
Linlithgow started the second half strongly and for a while it looked as if they were going to seize control of the match. They were attacking with confidence and the ball was being spun from side to side. Surely it was only a matter of time before the French defence yielded? Unfortunately, a clearing kick out of defence by the French fell between two Linlithgow players, who although both missing the ball, didn’t miss each other – both ending up on the deck! The grateful French backs seized on the bouncing ball and gratefully cantered home for a converted try to take the score to 17-5 in favour of the hosts.
'Chabal' was at the heart of each French attack
Linlithgow rallied again and from a good move involving most players, threatened only for the opportunity to appear to be lost. However, a magic shimmy from Jon Blundell resurrected the move and he offloaded the ball to Robbie Richardson, just outside the French 22, who did the unexpected, running directly at the home team defence and going straight through to score a cracking try. With the under-inflated match ball, Matt again missed the conversion.
Action sequence (above and below) showing Robbie's try
In the closing stages, with the pack augmented by Chad and Gregor(Ewan's more interesting brother), there were few opportunities for Linlithgow. The French had one final break but were denied by stubborn defence, as the match closed with Minorange in the Linlithgow 22. The French were delighted with their deserved victory – the first win in 10 years.
After the match, the home team captain was presented with the West Lothian Cup by Linlithgow captain Matt Dixon. Their outstanding No. 8, ‘Chabal’ was given the “home du match” award and Jon Blundell was nominated as the Linlithgow “man-of-the-match”. It was then off to Stade de France for both teams to see Scotland come close to beating an uninspired French team.
Matt presents West Lothian Trophy to AS Minorange captain
Overall Hommes du Match 'Chabal' with Linlithgow's homme-du-match Jon
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