Young Reds teams give good account of themselves at Watsons
Saturday 14 September 2024
On Saturday, the Young Reds’ S1 and S3/U15 teams travelled through to Edinburgh to take on Watsons College teams in the opening round of the Conference. You can read full reports on both games below.
Young Reds S1 first league fixture
George Watsons’s College 31 – 19 Linlithgow
Saturday 14th September 2024
Report by Stuart Taylor
Having played some excellent rugby during pre-season against West of Scotland, Stirling County, BAT’s, Musselburgh and Edinburgh Harlequins, the U13 Linlithgow team arrived at Myreside proudly sporting their new club neck ties. It was clear the team meant business. No one underestimated George Watsons, a team that many considered to be one of the strongest sides in the league.
With no substitutes available the 13 Linlithgow players took to the pitch, with a slight cross field wind giving the kickers something to think about.
Sensibly both teams kept the ball in hand with Watsons showing real athleticism in their early attack. Linlithgow soaked up the initial pressure until Watsons broke the line and ran in an unchallenged try. With the wind assisting Linlithgow, the Watsons conversion kick sailed slightly wide of the post.
It wasn’t too long before Watsons added a further 5 points to the score board with a similar try to their first, failing again to convert much to Linlithgow’s relief. With Watsons two tries to the good, the Linlithgow squad stuck to their guns and showed a bit more fighting spirit with some excellent tackling from Logan, Archie and Callum, preventing further punishing line breaks from Watsons. Through some solid direct running, the centres Jack S and Joe made positive progress well into the Watsons half. Watsons defended well and it wasn’t too long before Linlithgow were caught on the counter attack by some deft Watsons passes and a resultant 3rd try. This time the Watsons kicker mastered the cross wind and converted neatly.
Linlithgow battled hard and started to really use the width of the pitch with a series of quick passes finding Finlay H on the left wing who danced along the line before his considerably larger opposite number marched him into touch just before the try line. This was the start of a much brighter phase of play with the Reds stoic in their attack. Tom, Brodie, Archie, Logan and Jack B, all skilfully kept possession with a series of direct runs into the Watsons pack whilst also making sure they were on hand to assist with robust rucks which frustrated the Watsons defence.
Both sides benefitted from good constructive refereeing at the scrum with the Reds scrum half Blair learning the art of placement and effective quick ball into the hands of the waiting Red’s no.10 Max.
Joe managed to break new ground in the centre of the field and popped the ball up to Jack S who accelerated into the Watsons defensive line fending players all the way over the try line, for a thoroughly deserved try under the posts. Giving Nathan a straightforward conversion kick, which he confidently slotted home to keep the game alive prior to the half time whistle. While the Reds went in at the break 10 points down there was an air of optimism that they were highly capable of building on the positive latter stages.
The entire second half was indeed a closer affair. Watsons battled hard and defended a valiant Linlithgow attack well, managing to prevent Logan from grounding the ball. Watsons regrouped and exploited a hole in the Linlithgow line, blasting through for a try, which they duly converted with aplomb. Linlithgow responded well retaining possession all the way to the try line with Logan’s determination paying off with a well worked try. With an irritating cross wind and a tricky angle, Max stepped up to kick and showed great composure to convert with ease.
George Watson’s College were not finished for the day and switched the ball from one side to the other and had a go at a few kicks with mixed results. Jay gathered up the high balls and courageously punched holes in the Watsons defence. Watsons did gain ground and continued to show that they were well drilled in the scrum and the line out with their players positioning on point. Much to Linlithgow’s dismay Watsons were also getting to their feet quickly and recycling the ball well. Watsons scored their last try of the day from a well worked line out and resultant quick passing, relying on their large centre to complete the move with Jay tenaciously snapping at his heels as he dotted down. Watsons then concluded their points for the day by converted the try.
Callum had fought valiantly throughout the game and made countless driving runs smashing through the Watsons pack popping the ball into the hands of a grateful team mate as he was eventually brought down. Thankfully all of his efforts were rewarded when he crashed through the Watsons defence for his first try and the final try of the match. The Reds fly half Max stepped up for the conversion kick with his efforts cruelly thwarted by a vicious cross wind.
Towards the end of the game Linlithgow were on the ascendency and would have gladly played another 10 minutes. While a grateful Watsons side greeted the final whistle with relieved smiles.
The S1 Young Reds did give a very good account of themselves with the match a lot closer than the score line suggested. All credit to the Reds who played this opening league fixture with real grit, despite having no subs against one of the stronger teams in the league.
In many ways the post-match photograph showing the team proudly wearing their new Linlithgow Rugby Club neck ties will likely serve as a useful metaphor for their rugby journey. Just as the team will grow into their new ties and master the perfect knot, the team will grow into and master their roles on the rugby pitch.
Young Reds U15s just pipped after tremendous performance
Watsons 24 – 17 Linlithgow
Saturday 14 September 2024
Report by Nick Drainey
Just one try in it! The Linlithgow under 15s took their pre-season improvements onto the pitch at Myreside and were a whisker away from coming out on top.
The boys had listened to the coaches, learned new skills and perfected older ones – in a nutshell they could have done little more. But sport is cruel and what could have been a glorious triumph had a frustrating end. It would be understandable to dwell on decisions which did not go our way but our boys swallowed their post-match bacon rolls with endorsements of their ability ringing in their ears. Despite the defeat, many were (just) beginning to believe they have actually become a really good team.
The match started well with some great use of the newly-learned pods; Zack and Jason excelling at ball carrying, something which continued throughout. Euan also started as he intended to carry on, making some good breaks and being a strong, good tackler in defence.
It was from a pod that the first try emerged. Jay – performing fantastically at scrum half – distributed the ball to the backs who sent James on his way over. (0-5)
Ali’s catching and protection of the ball from the re-start was one of many moments that gladdened the coaches – it was something he had been working on and in the pressure of the game he had it perfected.
Staunch defending followed in what was a tight first half, with some great jackling and running back to cover defence from Callum and Finlay. But their hooker powered over for a “workaday” try by the opponents. (7-5)
Undeterred, the U15 Reds continued with their confidence intact. Newly-signed up Arran put in a strong performance at full back and along with Will put in some great work to keep Watson’s at bay before the break.
Charlie continued to make some great runs as the Reds began the second half well. It was Connor who started off the next successful phase by carrying well and presenting cleanly for the backs. They showed the importance of depth and got the ball out to Murray who went over for a well-deserved try following his great start with the Under 15s this season. (7-10)
Jamie and Matthew showed strength and skill in the front row – carrying and passing well with the new pod system and also being great in the ruck. Special mention in the forwards should also go to Noah and Robbie, just starting out but able to play like those with far more experience. But Watson’s went over in the corner (14-10) and then the referee awarded them a penalty to move further ahead (17-10).
James was then thwarted on a break but Fergus was not for giving up. He produced a sublime try with a jinking, sidestepping run to take him over the line. Which he then converted to put the scores level. (17-17)
And so the final few minutes were up on us – tense would be one word to describe the atmosphere. More attempts to go forwards were frustrated but great defending seemed to be doing the trick, including Ethan coming off the bench well. However, the Reds had a plethora of penalties awarded against them for varying reasons and Watson’s agonisingly went over at the end to snatch victory. (24-17)
Onwards to this weekend and the visit of old rivals Musselburgh – a stern test awaits but one the Under 15 Reds are relishing with a belief they are able to go toe to toe with anyone this season.
SQUAD: Ali, Jamie, Matthew, Jason, Zack, Connor, Callum, Finlay, Noah, Robbie, Jay, Fergus, James, Murray, Charlie, Euan, Arran, Will, Ethan