Great send off for coach Malcolm!

Linlithgow U16  60 – 12  Musselburgh U16

Saturday 14 December 2024

Report by Nick Smith

It was a big Musselburgh team that arrived at Mains Park this week. A couple of the players had beards but this is normal for this part of the country where we’ve come to realise that they are well-fed and bred-well for size. This game had added spice for us as a win would mean we would win the conference with a game to spare and also it was also Malcolm’s last game as coach. So it was important that we went out with a win and mostly  importantly a good display.

We started well putting them up pressure from the kick off and then stealing two line-outs in succession. It was good to see us getting a jumper up and put pressure on them – a useful learning from our game against the Australian team a week or so before. We spent the next 10 minutes in their 22 battering at their line, but with not much success as we found their pack was equal to the task. All the time through there was acres of space out wide and if we’d put the ball through the hands we would likely have turned our pressure into points. Eventually we spotted that but a nice cross field kick from Rory didn’t quite go to hand and we needed to build again. This was now our mindset and the forwards set up again this time with the real purpose of sucking in the defence. This time the ball went wide and Scott was in to score the first of the day.

We were beginning to settle. The next try came from two pieces of individual skill. Rory kicked a 50:22 and we again camped in their 22. Our pressure les to Calum battering his way through a crowd of Musselburgh forwards to score from a tap penalty. Ewan then followed up with a similarly-styled try off a crash ball.

Musselburgh then came back into the game as we knew they would. Their big forwards rumbled into our midfield causing real problems for our defence, but Finlay Mac, Ektor, Daniel, Alexander and Greig put in some big and brave hits to keep them at bay. Just when the look like they might get the ball wide to score, Ali B stepped in to intercept, run the length of the pitch and score.

Not to be left out Max and Finlay M both scored before the break.

We then unloaded the bench with Tom coming in at hooker to provide extra tackling prowess; Liam found a slot in the backrow this time to add his jackling skills; Hugh stepped in at scrum half for his second outing in this position and Alfie partnered him in the other half-back position. We also put an Angus on each wing to provide a bit balance and Alex K evened things up in the front row.

Musselburgh started the second half with intent. Before we knew it they had scored two tries and it we needed to tighten things up to get back in control of the game. But panic we did not, and it wasn’t long before we were back in the routine with Ali B making good ground from a crash ball before Fraser stormed in for a well deserved try from a tap penalty. We seemed to then grow in confidence with Hugh showing invention in his new role breaking blind from a scrum and trying to put Angus T away.

The next try was also from a tap penalty but much further out. We put the ball through the hands before a huge gap opened up in front of Ewan which he cruised into touching down for his second.

This brings us to the try of the match. Musselburgh attempted to clear their lines only to find Rory who ran it back at them, finding the support from his forwards. We then hit up twice with Finlay Mac and Greig making big carries. Hugh them spun it to Alfie, who saw what was on, and threw a big pass out to Duncan who fed it on to Ali B.  He beat his defender, drew the full back and passed on to Angus C who didn’t need any more invitation to finish the move under the posts. It could have been directly off the training ground!

The final try went to Rory who kicked ahead and put so much pressure on the full back that he had to release the ball and Rory then took full advantage. 

It was a great result and a real team performance. Player of the match this week goes to Fraser who had a monumental game. He carried well, scored once and was involved in some lovely interchanges with Ewan and Angus C which almost led to further tries. He also took on his defence duties relishing the tackles on his opposite numbers in the front row.

We also need to give a mention to Malcolm Dunn as it was clear that boys were well aware that this was his last game and he deserved a good send off. His relentless strive for excellence has given the boys the belief that they can take on and beat anyone. He has also instilled in them the importance of good rugby values with teamwork as the most treasured. As coaches we will certainly miss him and I don’t think any of the boys will forget his rendition of “We are Warriors” when on tour in France.

Thomas Junik captains Edinburgh U16

Linlithgow youth player Thomas Junik played for Edinburgh under 16s against the touring Australian team, the Raptors. By all accounts he put in a strong performance, playing in the back row and captaining the team in the second half.