Wee Reds P7 win Livingston Tournament!

Sunday 28^th April 2024

The P7’s visited Livingston on Sunday afternoon with great anticipation, having never played some of the teams on the roster. Four short games lay before them, against Foresters/Kilmarnock, Livingston, Waysiders and Biggar. Little did the traveling Linlithgow supporters know they were in for a thrilling afternoon of Reds rugby.

Game 1 – Forrester / Kilmarnock  1 – 9 Linlithgow

First up Linlithgow faced a mixed team, consisting largely of Forrester players with a few Kilmarnock players rotating from the bench.

From the kick off it was clear Linlithgow meant business with Max also now known as the artful dodger, seeking out space as he advanced towards the try line, neatly dotting the ball down – a fine start to a glorious day of rugby. 

The Linlithgow P7’s responded positively to every attack the Forresters/Killy side tried and promptly ran in 2 further break away tries from Rory.

Cameron showed real grit to puncture the opposition’s defensive line to score number 4. Joe followed quickly after with try number 5. Finlay H scored one of his trade mark, lung bursting efforts, out running the chasing green jerseys.

All of the Linlithgow players put Forresters/Kilmarnock under extreme pressure by chasing down the kicks, being disciplined with their positioning and camping out in the opposition’s territory.

Any determined efforts from the opposition were quickly stifled by excellent tackles from Jay, Archie and Callum. Jack and Blair showed real tenacity at the rucks with some excellent jackling from Joe. With the ball moving swiftly into the wide channels it wasn’t long before Jay added his name to the score sheet. Joe managed to shake of a mistimed tackle and marched over for try number 8. 

Some exchanges were made and the fresh legs from the travelling Kilmarnock players made a difference with a break away run which saw Jay in hot pursuit. The try was awarded despite Jay’s heroic efforts to hold up the ball.  With the game all but over Joe made a break for the try line and off loaded to the support runner Archie to score Linlithgow’s 9^th try. 

Game 2 – Livingston 3 – 9 Linlithgow

With the Linlithgow team and supporters enjoying the spring sunshine from the south facing stand the break between game 1 and game 2 was welcomed by all, as the team eyed up the remaining 3 teams left to play.

Linlithgow’s second game was against the tournament hosts. The encounter proved to be a more physical game than the first which seemed to suit Archie, Jay and Callum who tackled with aplomb.  With the game settling Archie gathered the ball and dummied and side stepped his way over the try line to score the first try.

Livingston replied after testing Linlithgow’s defensive line with their first try. Linlithgow frustrated Livingston’s attack by working efficiently at the ruck and operating at pace with the ball in hand. Logan scored a well-deserved try by charging for the line with excellent fends enroute. Callum also relished the physical contact and bulldozed his way through the Livingston defence to score Linlithgow’s 3^rd try.

Livingston fought back and scored a break away try with Linlithgow players nipping at their heels. Linlithgow dug in and increased the tempo, starting with Jay scooping up the ball and dancing his way over the line finished with a superb superman dive (see photo!) to score Linlithgow’s fourth try.

Livingston regrouped and made a real effort to keep pace with the speedy Linlithgow pack and managed to dot down their third and final try of the game. The high tempo seemed to suit Linlithgow with Finlay H moving up through the gears to score a well worked try. With Rory relishing the running rugby he scored a great try after a trade mark mazy run accompanied with a well-timed goose step to score. Finlay McD showed superb determination, driving his legs with Livingston players falling at his heals with his eye firmly on the try line.  A thoroughly deserved try rewarding his resilience under pressure.

As we approached the closing stages Linlithgow were clearly starting to have fun, demonstrating attacking pace, quick hands and excellent tackling. Callum gathered the ball well inside Linlithgow’s half and ran the length of the pitch stepping over and fending his way to cross the try line and went on to complete his hat trick of tries and Linlithgow’s victory a few moments later with another bruising Lomu-esque effort from the wing.

With 9 tries and their second victory of the day there were smiles all round as the 3^rd game approached.

Game 3 – Waysiders 0 – 10 Linlithgow

Linlithgow dominated the third game against Waysiders with the team displaying great team spirit throughout. Special mention for Jay and Brodie who made strong tackles into touch. It was great to see player’s confidence growing particularly at the ruck with well worked turn overs a plenty. With great running rugby the team racked up there first double figure score line. There were also well executed grubber kicks and up and unders that all lead to scores.  Scorers as follows: 

Callum (1) crossed the try line 1^st, followed by scores from Rory (1), Logan (1), Joe (hat trick), Brodie (2) and try number 10 from Max (2).    

Game 4 – Biggar 1 – 3 Linlithgow

As the team entered their 4^th and final game it was clear that Linlithgow were in pole position to win the tournament – also known as squeaky bum time! Some light relief was provided before the starting whistle by a pitch invasion from Callum’s wee brother Lachlan, who demonstrated his rugby talent by evading tackles as his mum tried to usher him off the pitch to allow the big boys and girls to start.

The team were aware of the threat that Biggar posed and the final game proved to be a much closer affair than the previous games. Biggar were excellent at tackling, with a strong set piece and they possessed real pace within their pack to match the speedsters in the Linlithgow squad. Biggar struck first with a well worked try.

Encouragingly Linlithgow composed themselves and advanced towards the try line. Linlithgow turned the screw and Rory made a break away line and dotted down to equalise.  Linlithgow stifled Biggars runners by tangling them up in touch line tackles and excellent ruck speed. With Logan, Callum, Brodie and Jay making some superb tackles.

Gathering the ball Joe shook of some tackles and fended his way to the line scoring Linlithgow’s second. Biggar continued to put Linlithgow under pressure which they absorbed with frequent turn overs. Rory was on hand to receive an off load which he ran in to score the last try of the game and tournament.

Biggar continued to look dangerous and pressed forward at pace. Close to the end of the game Brodie made a spectacular try saving tap tackle. In the end Linlithgow were well deserved winners!  

With a combination of relief and pride, the team’s coaches and supporters watched on as the P7 players climbed the main stand steps to collect their winner’s medals from the Livingston RFC club president. With 31 tries scored and only 5 conceded it was a mature performance from a team that have developed considerably as they progress to S1 rugby. Well done team and coaches.