Young Reds u14s pressed on
Preston Lodge 19 – 56 Linlithgow
Saturday 7th March 2026
Report by Stuart Taylor
With 6 nations rugby in full flow the Reds and their travelling supporters arrived at Prestonpans keen for a quick kick off and a quick finish to allow time to set up for an afternoon of rugby supporting from the sofa or for the lucky ones, travel time to Murrayfield for the eagerly anticipated game of the tournament.
Conversations on the side lines focused on the Scotland squad and the prospect of two fantastic attacking teams battling it out in perfect running rugby conditions for the Auld Alliance Cup. What if? Maybe just maybe? Little did we know just how good a day it would be.
The focus was then turned to Preston Lodge who were an unknown quantity for the Under 14 Reds. From the opening minutes it was clear they had some robust forwards and spritely wingers. Linlithgow started well and pressed forward with strong running from Jay and Rory, both being rewarded with a try each in the opening 6 minutes. The extras were added by Max and Rory. The Reds were caught off guard by a quick restart kick and Preston Lodge scored a well worked try which they promptly converted.
Fly half Max directed the Reds attack excellently with consistent well-placed kicks, gaining ground to launch attacks, piling pressure on the home team.
Returning to the Reds’ engine room, Logan P worked tirelessly puncturing the opposition’s defensive line with powerful crashing runs time and time again, making great decisions for the quick pass or going to ground, tying up Preston Lodge’s numbers and creating positive space for the Reds’ attack. Unsurprisingly it wasn’t long before Logan P crashed over the whitewash for Linlithgow’s third try of the day which was converted by Nathan.
Callum G and Jay terrorised the home team with direct running and deft offloads each adding to the score line with a try each, converted by Rory and Max respectively.
With some good running rugby PL got the ball out to the right edge and despite a valiant tackle close to the try line by Joe,the Preston Lodge winger managed to dot down on the try line with a stretch that would have delighted Inspector Gadget. The home team were denied the extras by the woodwork with the score sitting at 12 – 35 inside the 2nd quarter it was looking like it was going to be the Linlithgow’s day.
As usual Logan C and Lucas (aka the bash brothers) made a number of dominant tackles and drove the opposition back with strong ball carrying. Lucas added his name to the score sheet with a short surging run and crash that was no match for the Preston Lodge defence bunched on the try line. Rory was on hand to claim the extras.
Having made good ground throughout the first half, centres, Rory and Jay continued to zig and zag their way through the home team pack with some tasty link up play with Archie, Nathan and Callum F each supporting the runner and demonstrating quick hands when needed.
With Archie on the receiving end of a high tackle inside the home teams 22, the Reds capitalised from the awarded advantage and Jay finished the half with a hat trick of tries with Nathan slotting home the conversion taking the score line 1 point shy of 50.
The Preston Lodge and Linlithgow coaches hastily agreed to shorten the second half to 20 minutes to allow all players and supporters to get to the second big game of the day at Murrayfield.
The Reds started the second half well with some good attacking formations and quick rucks. Logan P continued to make strong carries earning the Player of the Match accolade for his efforts.
Callum G had yet again put in a great shift for the reds and capped of a solid performance with a trademark mazyrun, fending players with aplomb and dancing his way across the try line for a marvellous try. With Callum F adding the extras proving that he is as capable kicking from the tee as he is with his quick thinking scrum half duties.
With the exertions telling in the morning sun both teams had a few flare ups with some differences of opinions on display. The referee astutely wrapped things up early (perhaps we were not the only ones keen to get to Murrayfield!) and both teams applauded the efforts of their opposing teams before shaking hands.
With the scoreline north of fifty points the Linlithgow squad made their way home satisfied and eagerly anticipating an entertaining afternoon of 6 Nations Rugby. Surely the day could not get any better?