Reds run in 7 tries against tidy opponents
Linlithgow 53 – 20 Stewartry
Saturday 18 January 2025
Report by Craig Young
Linlithgow took to the field for the first time since 7th December, knowing that a win today was essential. Linlithgow are just above the relegation zone and cannot afford any slip ups against the teams below them.
The visitors stuck first with a penalty just outside the 22. The game was pretty even and Linlithgow scored a well worked try though Ross Tulloch, converted by Jack Frame. Stewartry came back with another penalty to reduce the deficit to 1 point. Linlithgow probably should have scored just after, but with a two to one advantage – they wanted one pass too many which allowed another defender in to make a try saving tackle on the line.
Throughout the game Linlithgow were giving away too many penalties, however, with the visitors on the attack, Linlithgow managed a turnover and Euan Mochrie scored, duly converted by Frame. With the game stuck in midfield for a while, Conor Findlay made a break scoring an excellent individual try, Frame converting. Linlithgow were hitting a purple patch now with Ruaridh Stewart going in for the bonus point try, also converted by Frame.
As half time approached, Linlithgow were seemingly running away with a game which had seemed pretty even so far.
Half time: 28-6
The game almost turned on it’s head with less than 10 minutes of the second half gone. With the penalty count already in double figures, the referee dished out a yellow card to Fraser Mochrie. The visitors took heart from this and started pressing. They were soon rewarded with a try and a conversion. Worse was to come for the home side as firstly Jack Frame was penalised for something said, then not long after Oscar Davies received a yellow card for something he said. For a while Linlithgow were up against it and Stewartry duly scored another try and conversion. This brought the visitors back to within 8 points at 28-20 and they must have thought they could get something from the game.
How wrong they were! With Linlithgow back to full compliment they started getting some territory and pulled away with 2 excellent long-range penalties from Jack Frame. This seemed to galvanise the home side who scored 3 more tries in the last 15 minutes. Firstly Ross Tulloch in the corner (unconverted), secondly Fraser Mochrie under the posts, duly converted by Frame. The icing on the cake was a solo try from just inside the 22 from Cammy Murrie who spotted there was nobody at home following a scrum. Converted by Frame.
Full time: 53-20
Craig’s Comments
There are no easy fixtures at this stage in the season. A welcome win for Linlithgow after 3 straight defeats. A good performance overall, particularly from man-of-the-match Murray Johnstone and captain Jack Frame who kicked 18 points. However the Reds will need to improve the discipline and cut the backchat!. Stewartry kept going for the whole match, and Linlithgow struggled to contain their two speedy players. They are currently 11 points behind Linlithgow but with a game in hand so they have work to do.