Welcome to the Linlithgow U16s / Academy 2nd XV Page
Over the season we will look to bring you latest news, photos and reports.
Sunday 17th January 2010
Dunbar U16 26 Linlithgow U16 0
After several weeks in deep freeze this was the Under 16’s first exposure to life in the ‘top tier’ after qualifying comfortably from their group. Any preconceptions that the boys may have had of a comfortable life in the ‘top tier’ were quickly dispelled by a competent Dunbar side who refused to be fazed by the Reds dominance of possession throughout this contest, the Reds being architects of their own downfall with a series of elementary errors that were ruthlessly punished by their opponents. Whilst the score reflects a comprehensive defeat, the Reds gave as good as they got for large spells of this content, being left to reflect and hopefully take on board that ‘basic errors’ committed in the more exalted company of the top league are liable to quick exploitation and punishment by opponents.
Sunday 6th December
Haddington 20 Linlithgow 34
Sunday 25th October
Linlithgow 34 - 19 Preston Lodge
A good day out for the Under 16’s after their recent illness induced cancellations. This fixture with the agreement of Preston Lodge, being badged as a ‘double header’ with the result counting towards both League points and ‘Bowl’ progression, introducing an added inducement to prevail. Both sides, due to school holiday unavailability, supplemented their numbers from their respective Under 15 squads, with the home side drawing on the resource of 5 members of the younger squad. From the Kick off, the Reds showed a determination to put their recent woes on and off the park behind them, demonstrating a greater keenness and enthusiasm throughout, against a dogged and capable Preston Lodge side. Whilst the overall performance was stuttering and ‘ring rusty’ at times, this was a ‘gritty’ committed performance, from a squad, who as a consequence of prevailing circumstance, have not played a competitive Under 16 match for over a month, which makes the nature of this ‘Reds’ win against decent opposition all the more impressive.
Saturday 3rd October
Linlithgow S3/S4 7 Glasgow Academy S3/S4 27
In a howling gale that played a significant role in proceedings the Glasgow side adapted better to the conditions with some tidy handling combined with showing a greater keenness to win and retain possession, a clutch of injuries also contributing to the Reds struggle to obtain shape.
Only in the latter quarter of this contest did the Reds appear to ‘get things together’ and show some signs of what they are capable of. Jamie G was the try scorer.
Congratulations to Cody O'Neill and Jake Tritton who have been selected for the combined Edinburgh District U16 squad.
Sunday 20th September
Linlithgow U16 12 Clackmannan / Alloa U16 59
The squad are presently struggling to address some of their ‘old demons’, this being fully evident in this fixture, when despite a poor start and trailing by 19 – 0, they mounted a spirited fightback either side of half time, to leave them trailing by 7 points.
However having restored pride and looking set to push on and take control of the contest, the Reds conceded a further soft score, which saw a number of heads drop and the score move forward at an alarming rate, as their opponents fully capitalised.
As can be determined, the Reds, were masters of their own downfall in this contest, a significant number ‘basics’ requiring attention along with some serious reflection by the squad on how they correct matters going forward.
Sunday 6th September
As the scoreline suggests this was an entirely one sided affair, Livingston fielding several boys who were new to the game, whilst the Reds, themselves struggling for numbers, could only muster 15 fit and available bodies.
The game itself was dead as a contest within the first 10 minutes the remainder of the match being played out on the basis of ‘sharpening up’ for the sterner encounters that lie ahead, starting with next week’s home encounter with Hawick Albion.
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