Try fest at Whitecraigs

Whitecraigs  41 – 34  Linlithgow

Saturday 01 March 2025

Report by Craig Young, photos courtesy of Graham Black

Linlithgow made the journey to Whitecraigs for their penultimate league fixture knowing that their league status in National 4 was already secured. Following the withdrawal of North Berwick from the league the points difference has taken a tumble as those 2 wins have been negated. Whitecraigs, however needed at least a point today to secure their place in National 4 for next season.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and went ahead with a penalty. The visitors gave away a number of early penalties and were struggling, but with their first real attack, the ball sped it’s way along the backs until Cammy Murrie scored in the corner, the conversion missed.  Linlithgow were having a purple patch and although Jack Frame missed a penalty, he made amends by scoring and converting his own try a couple of minutes later.  It was end to end stuff and Whitecraigs scored a converted try.  

Back came Linlithgow and Jack Frame scored another try which he converted himself. Back came Whitecraigs with an unconverted try of their own with the conversion hitting the outside of the post. Linlithgow went further ahead with a penalty from Jack Frame after good work by Cammy Murrie. As half time approached, Whitecraigs scored another try, once again the conversion hitting the outside of the post.  It’s fair to say that neither team’s defence was outstanding in the first half, but it was great for the spectator. 22-18 in favour of the visitors at the break.

With substitutes Calum Lindsay and Luke O’Hara replacing Cammy Murrie and Ross Tulloch, Linlithgow were hoping to capitalise from their fresh legs, but it was Whitecraigs who scored a converted try next as they carved through the Reds defence with ease.  

From the restart, Linlithgow were under pressure again and held out near the try line. Phase after phase Linlithgow kept the home side at bay, but a try seemed inevitable and eventually Whitecraigs scored in the corner, the conversion good. The game was slipping away from Linlithgow at this point. By this time Stuart Cunningham and Calum McKeown were on. Jamie Tulloch had a sore shin knock, so some reshuffling was required.  

Linlithgow were rewarded when, after a flurry of penalties against Whitecraigs, Jack Frame scored his 3rd try, but missed the conversion (34-27). Some controversy from the restart as several Whitecraigs players were in front of the kicker, but went un-noticed. When Jack tried to clear his lines, Linlithgow were penalised for players in front of the kicker. Two phases later, Whitecraigs scored in the corner as their scrum powered through the Linlithgow players (converted). Linlithgow were just about in the game, but were given renewed hope when the Whitecraigs hooker was yellow carded for saying too much to the referee. This led to a great try by Ross Tulloch who had returned to the game, Jack Frame converting which brought Linlithgow to within 7 points (41-34).  In what was the last play of the game, Linlithgow were awarded a penalty around the half way line. Sadly for the visitors, Jack was unable to find touch and the away supporters were left wondering what might have been. Full time 41:34.

So Linlithgow came away with 2 points from a tough away fixture. Both teams played attacking rugby, but Linlithgow need to shore up the defence and at least make the opposition work a hard for their points.