Saturday 5th December 2009
Linlithgow 2nd XV  7  Boroughmuir 3rd XV  15

Seconds Slip Up in Mud!

On Saturday the Reds 2^nd XV entertained Boroughmuir 3^rd XV on lower Mains Park, and if there was ever an example of why West Lothian Council should examine the problems with drainage on the park since the water catchment was installed then they only needed to look at the players as they came back into the clubhouse.  As one ‘Muir prop said “My boots are washed clean but I need a trowel for the jersey and shorts”.  The Reds fielded a strong side with the Archer brothers appearing in the front row. 

Andrew Blundell; Euan Murray, Chris Bredin, Hogg, Stuart Cunningham; Jason Dawes, Andy Wylie; Matthew Archer, Andrew Archer, James Craig; ColinBlair[c], Neil Lockhart; Logan Black, John Brown, Robert MacKenzie.

Subs: Neil Richardson, Ross McHarg, Stevie Campbell.

Needless to say this was very heavy underfoot and the play was slow and slippy with lots of mistakes on both sides.  A missed tackle allowed ‘Muir to open the scoring with a converted try which they held on to until half-time.  They added a penalty but the Reds came back into the game with a try from stand-off Jason Dawes converted by Chris Bredin.  Despite a lot of effort the Reds could not get another and a combination of exhaustion and mud allowed ‘Muir a final try.  Good performances from John Brown and Logan Black in what was a clean ‘dirty’ game of rugby. 

SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2009
Boroughmuir 3rd XV  41  Linlithgow 2nd XV  14

Here are some photos from the match, courtesy of our roving snapper:

 
JB Rises!

Euan feeds out

Les had his first run out of the season after his overseas trip

Jason Dawes came on for Smudger at half-time

SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2009
Stewarts Melville 3rd XV  0  Linlithgow 2nd XV  46

The Reds seconds first outing to the Capital this season saw a number of positional and personal changes from last week’s team. The Reds started off in a positive attitude forcing the StewMel defence on the back foot. Within 5 minutes Euan Murray intercepted a pass, kicking ahead, ran on to the ball to score near the posts. Euan McDavid converted the try. Back came Stewart Melville stretching the Reds defence however the thin red line stood resilient weathering the ‘storm’. Just before half time a penalty was awarded near the Melville posts, this was converted to leave the half time score at 10 – 0.

The second half was a different game; six tries were scored with no reply. Although the forwards found it hard to compete with their counterparts they did enough to win valuable possession. In open play the Reds definitely had an edge on the Edinburgh back line, combining with good forward support play, created the openings for winger Ross McHarg to score two tries within the first 15 minutes. Six minutes later McHarg fed inside to Andy Wylie to ‘jink’ his way over the Edinburgh line. On thirty minutes, from a lineout, the forwards drove 10 yards to help Ben Clarke over the line for the first of his two tries. Another five minutes passed and up popped Neil Richardson who weaved and jinked through the StewMel defence then demonstrating a ‘spin’ before scoring an excellent try under the posts. Just before the final whistle Ben Clarke rounded off a good passage of play to score the sixth try of the second half. Euan McDavid converted 3 of the second half tries. 

SATURDAY 29th AUGUST 2009
Linlithgow 2^nd XV  20  Lismore 2^nd XV  7

The start of the 2^nd XV league campaign saw Linlithgow field a young team supported by two veterans in John Smith and Scott Oliver. This balance seemed to ‘gel the team’ and it was no surprise to see John Smith calling for a short pass on the blind side to ‘crash’ through for Linlithgow’s first try, unconverted. The game was being played at a fast and furious pace with no side coming out on top. During such a passage of play two swift passing movements saw Oliver on the wing with 25 yards to go. Grit and determination with a hand off here and there saw Scotty in for Linlithgow’s second try, which was not converted.

Half Time Linlithgow 10 Lismore 0 

It took another 18 minutes before the third try emerged, but it was well worth the wait. The ball was won by the forwards within Lismore’s 22, fed out to the backs where Neil Richardson came off the wing to score a brilliant try. Within 12 minutes the fourth try was scored by David Syme who barged his way to the line. Both second half tries were not converted. Lismore came into the game and scored a consolation try under the posts.  A good start to the season except for Andy Blundell’s broken finger.

Final Score: Linlithgow 20 Lismore 7