North Berwick lay down the Law
North Berwick S1s 47 – 17 Linlithgow S1s
Saturday 18th January 2025
Report by Stuart Taylor
The U13 reds arrived at North Berwick high school, basking in uncharacteristically mild January conditions with the whale bone on top of the Law glinting in the mid-morning sun.
A healthy 21 players made the trip with a number of welcome recent recruits joining the U13 squad. North Berwick matched Linlithgow’s healthy numbers for the 13 a side game and it was agreed that 25 minute halves would be played to ensure all of the players within the developing squads gained as much game time as possible.
It was satisfying to see that the squad now comprises of a more balanced mix of player positions having previously been heavy on backs the squad has recruited much needed forwards who are eager to master the art of the scrum.
With the home team warming up at the south end of the pitch, you would have been forgiven for thinking the North Berwick players were a foot taller than the Linlithgow players such was the difference in level from one end of the pitch to the other.
The game started with Linlithgow having the downhill and sun advantage. Disconcertingly North Berwick were undeterred by their apparent disadvantage and ran up hill into the sun with purpose while the side line spectators were wishing they had brought their sunglasses.
The two teams tussled in the centre of the pitch for the opening phases, sussing each other out. Unfortunately for Linlithgow, North Berwick’s efficiency at the ruck improved and continued to do so for the remainder of the game. North Berwick’s speedy formation, supportive plays and accurate distribution of the ball was impressive.
North Berwick had a few speedsters in their pack and it wasn’t long before one ran through a gap in Linlithgow’s defensive line for the first try of the day. The try was calmly converted for maximum points. North Berwick kept Linlithgow in their half and the pressure paid off when a second converted try was added to the score board.
Linlithgow reacted with some good link up play managing to keep the greasy ball in hand with Rory rewarded for a silky run with an excellent try. One enthusiastic North Berwick player attempted a charge down of the conversion kick, but upon realising that no one else was joining him, he turned and walked back towards his team mates under the goal just as Rory’s boot certainly found the sweet spot, as the low flying ball struck the back of the unfortunate North Berwick players head, who manfully walked on un-phased by the chuckling spectators.
Trailing by 9 points, Linlithgow battled hard but gained less ground than usual due to a very well drilled North Berwick team. Linlithgow’s dogged determination was rewarded by a second try when Callum broke loose of a tackle and made a sweeping run to ensure a dot down below the posts. Max stepped up and converted for the Reds.
North Berwick stepped up a gear and punished Linlithgow’s lack of tackling accuracy with two converted tries before the break.
The half time team talk had clearly registered as a more focused Linlithgow side absorbed the attacking North Berwick runners. One runner looked destined to cross the try line to score but Jay had other ideas and made a try saving tackle that was straight out of the Dupont play book – closely followed by a well worked turnover. Jay, Fin C and Archie tackled effectively and ferociously throughout the game and continually frustrated the efforts of the skilled North Berwick back line. With Archie being rightly rewarded as man of the match for showing real grit under pressure from a tough North Berwick side.
North Berwick resolutely kept their shape and crossed over the try line on three occasions, converting all but one.
Testament to Linlithgow they finished the game with a flourish when an aerial ball was gathered up by Max who threw a quick ball into the waiting hands of Reds winger Finlay H who jinked along the side line and expertly side stepped North Berwick’s last man around the half way line and continued to move up through the gears to dot down under the sticks for a straightforward conversion. An excellent display of what this Reds team are capable of.
All credit to the particularly tough North Berwick team they ended the game as deserved victors having maintained a comfortable lead and an end score line that spoke volumes about the skill level within their pack. It was however clear that North Berwick were keen to call time by the way they kicked the ball out of play to end the game having been challenged by the developing Linlithgow side throughout the match.
The lengthy Linlithgow huddle at the end of the game was encouraging with highlights praised and areas to address discussed. Roll on next week.