Young Reds S1s slip off pace in third period

Edinburgh Academy S1s 36 – 14 Linlithgow S1s

Saturday 08 March 2025

Report by Alan Hunter

A still morning with the lingering overnight mist being lifted by the warming sun slowly rising above Edinburgh castle created a picturesque and perfect morning for a game of rugby.

The Young Reds turned up buzzing on the back of three straight wins to square up against what was to be a formidable Edinburgh team. 3 x 15minute sessions were called by the referee and with the sun on their backs they kicked off high hoping the ball would be lost in the glare but it was taken cleanly by Edinburgh, who set their intentions for the day by moving the ball wide to the edges of the pitch through the hands quickly forcing Linlithgow’s wingers to be involved defensively from the get go. 

In open play we were rucking quickly with Archie’s jackaling skills being put to good use, giving our backs their first chance of an attack. Rory gathered a loose pass well and goose stepped through before eventually being held. There were a few handling errors but the ball was picked up from Callum in the centre of the pitch almost back on his ten metre line. He sensed a gap and steam rolled over the scoreline for an opening try to the visitors. Rory welcomed the easy kick from between the sticks converting the try that he had started.

Joe from full back was testing the defence by kicking through an array of awkward balls which were pushing Edinburgh back and not allowing them any time as all the players were taking their turn at chasing hard. We were having the best of the opening third with Logan P making ground at every opportunity through the forwards with serious forward traction. A tackled and spinning Scott couldn’t have off loaded his pass any better with Callum seeing another opportunity, this time from his own half. He scythed through three players before their scrambling left wing got over and managed to upset his stride just before another retreating player got a tap tackle in, which done enough for the referee to believe he had lost control of the ball while grounding.

A chink in our shining armour was shown as ill discipline had us marched back ten metres by a referee who wasn’t prepared to listen to any of the opinions being shared by the frustrated Young Reds. This perked up Edinburgh who were coming into their game and passing from side to side, slowly but surely drawing in our defensive line leaving an inevitable overlap causing a try out wide, which was safely converted squaring the game at 7 all.

After the first break our scrum started firing more efficiently with the power houses of Tom, Brodie and Ruaridh creating a solid force for the first time against a hard pushing unit. Jay’s quick hands from our 22 fed Joe who created confusion by running this time from his own line before releasing Callum yet again with Finlay H in support but not required as he covered the length of the pitch himself for a second try. Nathan converted, as they took over the lead.

Edinburgh got into their groove from this point on, as an advantage call from the referee saw their biggest player make the most of it by barging over with line with the help of some hand offs. The ball rebounded from the cross bar, so we still were ahead. 

Edinburgh turned the screw and if it hadn’t been for a desperate series of excellent tackles from the away side before turning over allowing Struan a great run up the right wing to take the heat off for a short period. An interception had the blue and white hoops back up and trying every which way to breach the line but a stoic defence and the lack of precision on final passes kept this from happening in what was a tense period of the game. Some more unwelcomed chat to the referee had us sent back ten metres again from a penalty decision, allowing Edinburgh another tap and go for the try, even if the conversion didn’t get off the ground. It put us behind 17 to 14 as we entered the final break.

Even the coaches talk couldn’t get the players heads up for the final third and the well-set up Edinburgh team managed to run in a further three tries during the final plays of the game. Max remained calm during this period of the game, trying to keep order in a rattled defensive line from stand off, with Jays fast thinking and intensive tackling that gave him a well-deserved man of the match making it as difficult as possible for the opposition. The highlight of this third was Scott’s charging run getting him over the line for a certain try if it hadn’t been for a flying tackle that forced him to drop the ball from his grasp.

The debrief was long but positivity was mostly resumed with smiles creeping back on to faces as they went back to the Pavillion for a Belgian waffle, Kellog’s Nutrigrain bar, Tyrrells crisps and a bottle of water. Great hospitality from the Edinburgh hosts.