Royal variety performance from S1’s
Royal High 12 – 41 Linlithgow
Saturday 9th November 2024
Report by Stuart Taylor
On an overcast Saturday morning the Young Reds S1’s travelled through to Barnton to face Royal High School.
Our hosts were first on to the score sheet when one of their tall players galloped unchallenged across the try line. The conversion kick from Royal High was slotted home.
This early wakeup call was perhaps what the Reds needed as they responded well. A superb long pass from inside centre Rory to the waiting arms of outside centre Joe resulted in Linlithgow’s first try of the day with Joe running in via Princess Street to plant the ball behind the posts. With the conversion attempt hitting the upright, the Reds went on the hunt for more points.
More points arrived following a post ruck pass from Brodie P found Callum at the half way line. Callum made a direct run with Royal High players snapping at his heels all the way to the try line, landing between the posts. With the conversion kick falling wide of the post the Reds were 3 points ahead of the hosts and now on the ascendency.
With continued pressure from the Reds, Royal High fought hard but the break-away runners were caught by ferocious tackles from Jay, who continually thwarted the host’s advances to the try line with his superb display of defensive tenacity and his bands of titanium.
The Reds continued to play some good passing rugby shifting the ball quickly from one side of the pitch to the other. Finlay H made some excellent runs along the wing gaining ground and releasing to supporting Red runners just as the encroaching Royal High winger was upon him.
The Reds were rampant at this point with Nathan running in a well worked team try at the corner which Rory converted with style. Joe gathered and ran in a try at the other corner for a tricky conversion kick which fell just short of the posts.
After an excellent steal from Joe and a quick offload to Callum – the Reds finished the half with a try that was ruled out by the Ref as a double movement. None the less a 15 points lead at half time was promising and the Reds couldn’t wait for the second half to begin.
The Reds started the second half strong. Callum still smarting from the Ref’s decision to made a beeline for the try line smashing his way through the Royal High pack and placing the ball for a straightforward conversion kick for Max which was slotted home.
Brodie P and Blair continued to distribute the ball well with effective rucks and good defensive tackling displays from Jack, Finlay McD, Lucas, Tom, Fin C, Scott, Brodie C and Ruairi.
Following some excellent linking play at centre Rory burst through the Royal High defensive line for a well deserved try. The conversion kick however fell short of the mark.
Royal High made continued breaks and were rewarded for their efforts with their second try of the game and their last points of the match.
Callum completed his hat-trick of tries by scoring Linlithgow’s last try of the day after another well worked team try which Max coolly converted to finish the game 29 points clear of Royal High.
Linlithgow finished the game in good spirits with another much needed confidence boost. Roll on Saturday.