Gutsy Reds fight back to share the spoils at Dunfermline
Dunfermline 29 – 29 Linlithgow
Saturday 25 January 2025
Report by David Mitchell with photos courtesy of Graham Black
Last Saturday saw the Reds visit Dunfermline for an eagerly awaited clash with the hosts who lie in 3rd place in Arnold Clark National League Division 4. The season’s earlier fixture saw Dunfermline snatch a late victory in Linlithgow, so the Reds were expecting a hard shift and that is exactly what happened. After Friday’s severe storms, playing conditions at McKane Park were surprisingly good with a strong breeze, bright sunshine and a well grassed playing surface. As usual, the Reds had a sizeable and vociferous travelling support who were treated to a very competitive game.
Dunfermline dominated the opening exchanges with their heavy forwards running hard at the Reds’ defence and making ground as the visiting tacklers were forced back as they struggled to stop the flow of attackers. Captain Jack Frame relieved the pressure with a clearing penalty kick but that was his only contribution to the match as he sustained an arm injury within the first 5 minutes and was replaced by Cammy Murrie with Ross Tulloch dropping back in to the full back position. At this stage, the forward battle lines had been set with hooker Kyle Ormond’s throws regularly finding the target of Oscar Davies to gain much needed possession for the visitors and the scrummage, although under pressure, was secure enough to ensure ball for Archie Rusack.
In the back division, Conor Findlay was choosing well between running, passing and kicking, and several kicks turned the Dunfermline pack. With their first real incursion into the home 22 metre area, the Reds scored. From a midfield scrum, Archie Rusack found Conor Findlay and he decided to have a dart at the home defence but when stopped, he succeeded in offloading a pass to Archie who picked the ball up from his bootlaces and slipped it to Jamie Tulloch who scythed through the remaining tacklers to score near the posts. Conor Findlay added the extra points.
As expected, Dunfermline responded aggressively and it was no surprise when they scored a converted try through some strong running forward play and some weak tackling. The home side continued to dominate territory and scored an almost carbon copy of their 1st try when one of their big forwards broke through some weak tackles and ran 20 metres to score a try which was converted by their full back. The danger signals were there for all to see, but thankfully the Reds tackling improved as the Dunfermline intensity seemed to fade.
In fact, it was the Reds who scored next when, after 2 yellow cards were shown to the home team, the visitors capitalised on their number superiority with a fine team try. From a line-out, the ball was moved left then right to stretch the home defence and Conor Findlay executed a lovely chip out to the wing where Luke O’Hara collected the ball to score a nice try. This brought the score to 14-12 but there was still time for the hosts’ full back to kick a penalty to make the half time score 17-12.
Aiden Mochrie replaced Calum McKeown just before half time and the Reds introduced Ross Martin for the 2nd half.
The Reds started the 2nd half with a spell of good pressure and looked dangerous in attack, but aggressive and effective defence from the home side kept them out. The home side then scored with their first foray of the half into the visitors’ territory when a strong line-out catch and drive took play to the 22-metre line where the home scrum half, using a teammate as a blocker, scuttled through for a try which was converted to make the score 24-12. This set a stern test for the Reds but one which they passed with flying colours. Some fine rampaging runs by Euan Mochrie, Jamie Tulloch, Ross Martin and the evergreen Stuart Cunningham set the tone for the comeback and sustained pressure was applied to the Dunfermline defence. After a long period in the home 22 metre area, a quick tap penalty was taken by Andrew Graham and after several attempts to muscle the ball over the line it was spread wide through the hands of Conor Findlay and Cammy Murrie who sent Luke O’Hara over in the corner with several tacklers failing to bring him down.
This led to a brief Dunfermline revival, and they scored their Bonus Point Try out wide on the left, but crucially the full back missed the conversion. With the score at 29-17 there was still time for the Reds to salvage something from the game and the impressive Oscar Davies rounded of a fine performance by diving over for the Bonus Point Try from close range. Conor Findlay added the extra points to take the score to 29-24.
The visitors had the scent of victory in their nostrils and Luke O’Hara nearly scored when, after a fine inside pass from Conor Findlay had split the defence, he was held up over the line. With time running out the attacks were coming in waves and eventually with the last move of the game and after several powerful forward drives to the line, Conor Findlay threw a long pass, missing both centres, into the hands of Ross Tulloch who touched down for the equalising try. Conor’s difficult touchline conversion attempt just drifted wide of the posts and the referee ended the game at 29-29.
Final score – Dunfermline RFC 29 – 29 Linlithgow Reds
One of the gutsiest performances of the season from this Reds squad against a strong Dunfermline side. Spirit and determination were evident for all to see and the high tempo rugby they played, and their fitness levels eventually overcame a stuffy defence. The Reds have all developed good handling and ball carrying skills and the interchanges between forwards and backs work well.
On the downside, some of the tackling still seemed a bit brittle with the heavy driving home forwards showing up some tackle technique weaknesses that need to be ironed out if the Reds are to concede fewer points per game in the remaining 5 matches. The tackling needs to be lower and more aggressive as we continue the journey in National League Division 4.
The forward set pieces worked well on most occasions with Oscar Davies delivering some clean line-out ball throughout the match. The front 5 in the scrum were solid enough against heavy opposition and all carried well in loose play. The back row had a strong game with all action Jamie Tulloch involved in countless phases and both Euan Mochrie and Oscar Davies matching his efforts with hard grafting performances.
In the back division, Ross Tulloch fielded safely all day and also had one of his best ball carrying games of the season. Cammy Murrie showed just how effective he can be with a combination of good handling, elusive running and general tidy play. Both centres were secure in defence and always willing to go forward with ball in hand and create opportunities for others in open play. The half back pairing continues to flourish and double try scorer Luke O’Hara just keeps on impressing the crowd with the strength of his running and his excellent finishing. A special mention to Stuart Cunningham who came on as replacement hooker and ended up in the centre showing his flexibility.
The Reds now lie 4th in Division 4 with 5 games remaining. February will be an important month for the Reds with 3 winnable fixtures i.e. away to North Berwick on 8th February, home to Greenock Wanderers on 15th February and home to Hamilton on 22nd February.
As Scotland are playing Italy next Saturday, there are no senior games scheduled.