Reds 2s start 2025 with good win
Linlithgow 45 – 21 Lasswade
Saturday 18 January 2025
Report by Des Martin
The day was ideal for rugby with both senior teams at home. The lads were keen for a game as the last match was over a month ago due to the holidays and weather. Lasswade had a good squad and as the game started they put us under a bit of pressure retaining the ball for a prolonged period.
The Reds defended well with the centres of Ally Walker and Ewen Curran standing up to the opposition. With first nice bit of possession the Reds scored a try through Ross Penderleith (see photo above) converted by Jeff Martin. Lasswade always love a bit of rumbustious play verging on the edge and, from one such body check, Matty Sommerville had to retire. Adam Scott came on to replace him and slotted in seamlessly.
The forwards were driving well and after a good period of pressure where Stu Young was held up the ball eventually game back to Ross Penderleith running a nice line close to the ruck to crash over near the posts. Gregor McLean converted (14-0). The Reds worked hard and Ross Findlater strode in after a nice offload from Gregor McLean which was not converted. (19-0 to the Reds).
The Reds kept up the pressure and the forwards kept delivering clean ball which James Roulston distributed cleverly. After good work by the second rows of Neil Lockhart and Scott Aitchison, supported by Alex Dunlop and Eoin Magee, the ball went across all the backs and winger Callum Lindsay strode in for the fourth and bonus point try, which was converted (26-0 at half time).
Everybody at half time was happy with the performance but lo and behold, as can often happen, Lasswade came back straight away and scored a simple try through lack of concentration by the Reds. The Reds replied straight away with a scintillating run up the wing by Callum Lindsay finished off by Ewen Curran converted by Jeff Martin (33-7 to the Reds).
Lack of concentration again gave a soft score to Lasswade as their winger nipped down the blind side after clever wheeling of the scrum (33-14). Clever play by Ally Walker, who cut in close to a ruck, gave the supporting Alex Dunlop the chance to skip in for a try (38-14 to the Reds). Another great play from a line out and maul saw Alex Dunlop show some excellent foot work bearing two men to set up a try for the hard working Neil Lockhart converted by Struan McLean (45-14).
Unfortunately after a good box kick, well executed by our scrum half, the tackle was missed on the Lasswade winger who evaded two or three would be tacklers to score. Converted again. Lasswade kicker was very good and it was testament to the Reds defence that they did not do better all day. Lasswade coach felt they hadn’t turned up in the first half, I would like to think it was good play by Linlithgow all afternoon.
It’s Stewart’s Melville away next week. We need a strong team to go away to Inverleith against the team currently just above us at second in the table.