Reds go down fighting after brave effort at Ardrossan
Ardrossan Accies 24 – 10 Linlithgow
Saturday 30 November 2024
Report by David Mitchell
The Reds made the journey to Ardrossan for this Arnold Clark National League Division 4 encounter against high flying Ardrossan Academicals. Playing conditions were fine with a strong cross field breeze and a reasonably sound surface and the usual healthy away support was present to see if the Reds could get revenge for the home defeat earlier in this campaign.
The first 10 minutes of the game saw the Reds struggle to win much ball, and they made life difficult for themselves by conceding 6 penalties in the first 10 minutes. Ardrossan’s early pressure was rewarded with a try following a well weighted kick through the defence and a good finish by the home number 8. The conversion attempt was successful to make the score 7-0. After such a scrappy start, the visitors then settled and made several incursions into the Ardrossan half and eventually they were awarded a penalty which Jack Frame popped over to reduce the deficit. A second penalty attempt from the 10 metre line just drifted wide in the strong wind as the Reds continued to press the home defence.
Both teams had spells of pressure, but the goal line defences were holding up well. In addition, there were some fine relieving kicks from Conor Findlay as well as a raking 50 yard kick to win a 50-22 for the Reds. Unfortunately for the Reds, the home side managed a late try to finish the half after some excellent line catch and drive moves created space on the left wing for a front row forward to dive over for the score.
Half time – 12-3
Both teams had put in huge effort during the 1st half and the game was still very much in the balance as the 2nd half got underway. The scrums were evenly contested but Ardrossan had the upper hand in the line-outs. If anything, the visitors had the territorial advantage in the 2nd half but failed to produce scores. Despite having been awarded several kickable penalties, the Reds continued to go for tries by kicking deep into the opposition 22 but regularly failed to win the ball and the moves fizzled out. The referee sent two of the home players for a 10 minute rest but the Reds were unable to capitalise on this numerical advantage.
The home side then scored their third try when good line-out ball was won and then driven over for a simple try which was converted to make the score 19-3. The visitors fought back with some strong driving play, but the Ardrossan tackling was solid and the Reds individually tended to carry the ball too far before shifting it wide. The Reds bench was emptied giving game time to Eioan Magee, Johnny Pegg, Cammy Murrie and Calum Lindsay all of whom made an impact on the game as they strived for a score. In particular Calum Lindsay looked secure under the high ball and had a couple of moves where he avoided the tacklers with some strong running.
Ardrossan did secure a Try Bonus Point when their excellent number 13 scythed through some weak tackling before giving a scoring pass to one of the 2nd row forwards. There was still time for a consolation score from the Reds when after a line-out, Ross Martin powered towards the goal line only to be stopped by another very solid tackle. However, Johnny Pegg then carried the ball to the line only to be stopped by more desperate tackling but he managed to set the ball back for Cammy Murrie to combine with Jack Frame to send Ewan Curran over for the try which Jack Frame converted.
Final score – Ardrossan Academicals 24 – 10 Linlithgow
Overall, this was a gutsy display by the Reds, and they were always in with a chance of winning until the late tries by the home side. The Ardrossan team includes a very strong spine of decent experienced players in key positions, and this must be the aim for the Reds to emulate in the coming seasons. There has been some excellent play by this young squad playing at a higher level and holding their own against most opponents and this needs to be developed on an ongoing basis.
Although it always seems easier from the sidelines, the coaches and players need to continue to be brave in the decision making department e.g. when to kick for goal, when to go for the line-out in the corner, etc but this takes time to perfect and we should trust the group to work on their options. This young team is almost always up against physically bigger men but need to shore up some of the tackling, achieve more penetration in attack and vary their point of attack around the field.
There was no shortage of effort, and the forward pack as a whole carried hard but did struggle at the line-out against a very useful Ardrossan side. In the backs, despite a shortage of ball being moved wide, Ross Tulloch, Luke O’Hara and Calum Lindsay all showed touches of real quality as they hunted for opportunities.
Next week it does not get any easier with Strathmore visiting Linlithgow to defend their 100% win record so far this season. However, the Reds will at least expect to run their opponents close and will be gunning for a win in the last game before the Christmas break.