Brewin Dolphin U18 Cup
Hawick HS 13 Linlithgow Academy 31
A great result for the Academy 1st XV who travelled to Hawick in the 2nd Round of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup and came back with a well earned victory. Despite having several players under the weather with the flu bug that is currently rampant in the school and missing stand off Stuart Kelly who had succumbed to it, the young Reds fielded a strong side and were ahead in the opening minutes when Ally Wood finished off a good forward drive for the opening score. This was followed by an individual effort from Calum Barton who chased up his own missed touch kick only for the ball to bounce to him and he finished in style before converting his own try – 12 – 0. Hawick then came back into the game and scored there own try after some weak tackling. A sustained period of pressure saw Linlithgow pull off some strong last ditch defence with captain Scott Herdman at the centre of everything. However the home team made their pressure count with a drop goal, just before half time, to narrow the gap to 12 – 8.
A stern half time team talk saw a more focused and organised Reds start the 2nd period as they had started the first and some excellent forward driving, after Jake Tritton had stolen yet another Hawick line out, resulted in Dougie Robb scoring the try, converted by Barton. They maintained the pressure and Calum Stevenson capped a fine individual performance with an excellent try forcing his way over with half the Hawick pack hanging onto him.
Ross High School 0 – Linlithgow Academy 62
Linlithgow Academy headed through to Tranent on Wednesday 9th September for their first round match in the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup, expecting a tough encounter following a tight match at the same stage last year. Despite the final score line, which indicates a very one sided match, it was to prove a tough encounter and the scoreline is more a reflection of the quality of the Linlithgow performance rather than the weakness of the opposition.
The team was boosted by the return of Captain Scott Herdman and wingers David Silk and Calum Young who all had missed the previous weekend’s disappointing performance in losing 21-8 at home to Madras.
The early encounters were very even with Linlithgow struggling to gain supremacy in the forwards and Ross High’s backs showing that they contained some dangerous runners. However gradually Linlithgow gained control and after 10 minutes a well worked backs move saw Calum Barton score the first try under the posts, converted by Stuart Kelly. Linlithgow then stepped up their efforts and began to completely dominate the breakdown, courtesy of excellent work by Ally Wood, Calum Stevenson and Dougie Robb. The next score followed for Calum Stevenson, after a good catch and drive from a line out in the corner. From the kick off the young Academy side scored what turned out to be the try of the match. Scott Herdman caught the restart and drove forward, realising he was going into touch he offloaded to Dougie Robb who drove forward for a further 15 yards well supported by his forwards. This released quick ball for the backs and a miss pass by Stuart Kelly allowed Iain Loggie to put Calum Barton into the gap and the full back didn’t look back as he scorched in under the posts.
Linlithgow didn’t let their concentration levels drop and continued to mount attacks against a Ross High team who didn’t give up and tackled valiantly. Further tries followed from Iain Loggie (2), Calum Young, Douglas Robb, Alastair Wood, a second for Calum Stevenson and one for replacement wing Steven Sim. Stuart Kelly added a further four conversions and Calum Barton one. All seven substitutes were used during the match, with Jake Tritton making another good impression in coming off the bench and showing that he certainly has the potential to be a star of the future. The only low point was a calf injury suffered by Calum Townend which may keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks.
This was by far and away the best performance of the Academy side this season and probably one of the best team performances in recent years. All 23 boys played their part, but two tackles by David Silk and Dougie Robb deserve special mention as they were the type of team lifting efforts that this team require more of on a week to week basis.
Well done and good luck in the next round!
The squad was as follows: Calum Barton, David Silk, Iain Loggie, Calum Townend, Calum Young, Stuart Kelly, Russell Murdoch, Cameron Petrie, Adam Nelson, Scott Herdman, Dougie Robb, Connal Black, Calum Stevenson, Calum Campbell, Ally Wood. Replacements Cal Thomson, Ross Plenderleith, Iain Campbell, Steven Sim, Iain Wainwright, Ernie De Rijk and Jake Tritton.
Boroughmuir High School 39 - Linlithgow Academy 5
Following the excellent midweek victory in the cup, Linlithgow travelled to Boroughmuir full of optimism at their new level of performance. This optimism seemed well founded for the first 10 minutes as the Academy side competed well against their slightly bigger opposition. However injuries to Dougie Robb and Iain Loggie disrupted the side and they were unable to find the team spirit which had been so evident in midweek. A disappointing performance was salvaged somewhat with a strong finish which culminated in a good try by Calum Young. Unfortunately however, only after the young Reds had conceded seven in the intervening period.
It was fitting that the last Linlithgow score should come from stand off Iain Campbell who had played exceptionally well throughout his first senior appearance in the number 10 shirt. From what seemed an impossible position near the touchline he managed to slice his way through the entire opposition forward pack and force himself over the line. Again converted by Calum Barton. The Hawick opposition never gave up fighting and were rewarded with a consolation try in the final minute. Final score 31-13 to Linlithgow. An excellent team performance in which it is difficult to single out individuals however mention must be made of Calum Townend who got out of his sick bed to turn in another outstanding performance, providing a real cutting edge with his pace and direct running in attack, whilst at the same time being the cornerstone of the team’s defence. Well done to all 22 in the squad.
The prize is a home tie against Loretto next Wednesday.
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