Linlithgow 2s 12 – 32 Heriots 2As
Saturday 14 December 2024
Report by Des Martin
The league leaders Heriots travelled to Mains Park in fine fettle having scored over 500 points in 10 matches! It was the only senior match as the Reds 1st XV had no game. Mind you most of them were there in their festive dress adding words of advice from the touchline, which was appreciated by both Heriots and Linlithgow!!!! The 2s had a strong squad with the inclusion of a couple of fringe first team players in the backs and one in the forwards.
The Reds started strongly with the forwards of Ally Walker, Alex Dunlop and Neil Lockhart all carrying well and working hard. This was supported at set piece plays by Colin Devlin, Matty Somerville and Jonny Pegg.
The backs were passing well with Struan McLean and his brother Gregor controlling play well at half back. This gave Aidan Wan and Ru Stewart room to attack in the centre. From one such attack the ball came across the backs and Calum Lindsay came in from full back on to a pop ball where Alec Dunlop acted as link man. As he was tackled Eddie Beamish cut inside and took the ball at pace from Calum to scorch over between the posts to score a great try converted by Struan McLean. (7-0 to the Reds).
Heriots were dominating the line-outs and had some sharp experienced runners and eventually they scored a couple of tries out wide. At half time the score was 7-10 in the visitors’ favour, but we were confident in going back in front after the restart.
Some changes were made with Jeff Martin on at centre and Alfie Muir coming on at stand-off. Ewan Mitchell went on in place of Ross Findlater who had picked up a knock. The Reds attacked and from a period of pressure scored at close range try from Alex Dunlop (photo above). We were back in front at 12-10 but not for long!
Heriots came back powerfully and before long identified the tiring forwards on the fringes. This made attacks easy as a couple of their forwards were much bigger and fitter than ours and we had no fresh replacements to shore up the defence. Heriots added a few soft scores and, although we all tried valiantly, they ran out winners 32-12.
Some strong performances from certain players. Ally Walker and Alex Dunlop both worked tirelessly in the forwards all game and there were good performances in the backs from Aidan Wan, Ru Stewart and Calum Lindsay.
Only a few games over the festive period and then only three or four league games left. We should end up comfortably mid-table if we keep up these kinds of performances in this impressive company.
Enjoy the holidays lads and all the best from Des, Phil and Alan.
