Youth action from weekend
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April 2025
Wee Reds P5 deliver on Boroughmuir ‘Beach’!
Match report and photos from Gordon White
With super sub Kian called in at the last hour, a strong Wee Reds P5 squad headed into Edinburgh, to play 5 matches on Meggetland’s back pitches. On arrival, we discovered these pitches were still recovering from a hard winter (like us all) with the boys playing ‘spot the grass’ while warming up.
As a result, summer beach style rugby was called upon and the boys duly delivered! In between making ‘sand’ castles on the touch line and dealing with ‘dust in eye’ injuries, the P5s put on another incredible show of rugby, especially in defence!
5 games, 5 wins again, with victories over Heriots, Boroughmuir C & D, Lasswade and Dalkeith. There was some brilliant rugby on show from all teams across the afternoon.
Controlling the Wee Red’s defensive line in the centre of the pitch/beach game after game was Harry, Patrick, Gregor and Rory. When the opposition did move the ball to the wide areas, Julen and Findlay were particularly effective in shutting the space down and forcing their ball carriers out of play.
In attack, our 2 big lads Angus and Kian led by example with some hard direct running.
Try of the day was scored by Ferris against Boroughmuir, when after 2 quick passes from Kian and Angus, he took off skipping past numerous defenders before touching down for a superb score.
After a celebratory team photo, everyone headed off to enjoy a well-earned ice cream in the late afternoon sunshine!
Well done all!
Wee Reds P6 at Boroughmuir Festival
Match report by Beth Robertson, photos courtesy of Neil Robertson
The Linlithgow Reds P6 team travelled to Meggetland on a glorious spring morning for a fantastic day of festival rugby hosted by Boroughmuir. The sun was shining and the pitch was dry—ideal conditions for the Reds’ exciting brand of running, expansive rugby. The boys faced off against well-drilled sides from Boroughmuir, Biggar, Dalkeith, Heriots and Lasswade, and put in a determined and skilful display throughout the day.
From the first whistle, the Reds showed real intent both in attack and defence. Monty set the tone early with powerful carries straight into contact, refusing to take a backward step, and backed that up with relentless defensive work that kept opponents on the back foot. Alongside him, Lewis once again proved to be a tackling machine, consistently stopping opposition runners in their tracks and getting stuck into the breakdown to secure valuable ball for the team.
Forbes and Odhràn added further punch to the forward effort, making strong carries that gained crucial metres and created front-foot ball. Their commitment to going forward gave the Reds vital momentum throughout the day.
In the backline, Jack showed great development in his confidence, putting in some brave tackles and making smart offloads to keep the ball alive and the attack flowing. Archie was an essential link in moving the ball wide, offering great support play and accurate passing that allowed the Reds to stretch the opposition and use the full width of the pitch.
The real fireworks came from the elusive running of Ridith and Ollie who both used their pace and sharp footwork to great effect. Time and again, they found space on the outside and danced through defenders, with Ridith scoring several outstanding tries that were among the best of the day. Their ability to step and accelerate created constant danger for opposing defences.
Max rounded off a strong team performance with some aggressive ball carrying, regularly smashing through the gain line and keeping the Reds moving forward.
All in all, it was a fantastic day of rugby, full of teamwork, determination and flair. The boys can be proud of their effort, and the performances showed real development across the squad. The Reds will take great confidence into the next set of fixtures.
Ten tries for rampant Young Reds S1s
Currie Chieftains S1’s 7 – 66 Linlithgow S1’s
Match report by Alan Hunter
After a couple of weeks off, the Young Red’s were delighted that Currie had agreed to a friendly, even if it was right after their club dinner the night before, with a 0945 meet up in Edinburgh! They all appeared to have gotten home for some kip after what sounded and looked like a fantastic, well deserved social night out.
It was a mild still morning and the pitch, albeit a bit bare in places was firm after a dry spell, which was perfect for the fast-paced game that Linlithgow arrived ready to play.
Archie (Players player of the season) completed the opening formalities with the referee and the oppositions captain. Chieftains being clad in all black seemed to be at least equally matched on the physicality front.
The boys in red quickly got into their game pressurising CC and forcing handling errors by stopping them having time to play. Callum dependable as ever at the breakdown didn’t need a second opportunity to win the ball and go over for an early try to stun the opposition, which was sweetly converted by Nathan.
More pressure by the fast-approaching red wall forced another error and this time Scott was on to it with work to do as he charged forward. He realised he wasn’t fully tackled so got back to his feet with CC’s hanging off him until eventually he was grounded but Joe playing at Full Back assisted and went around to score. Unusually Max didn’t get fully behind the conversion on this occasion.
More scavenging from the forwards created a penalty as Currie were holding onto the ball on the ground. Max looked set to kick from halfway when a smart thinking Jay gave him to nod to go quick and took the ball as he ran cross field before feeding Archie who made a further 10 meters supported by a flying Callum who got his second try of the day. Nathan slotted another conversion through the uprights.
Currie continued to have little time on the ball so they tried battering through in the forwards but they were being met with more than their match in that department and another turnover saw Struan evade tackles and create meaningful distance. Ruaridh (Most improved player of the year) spotted a gap and drew in two players as he offloaded to Finlay on the left wing with exquisite timing to let him run in unchallenged for a fourth try in the first third of the game. Nathan again was on form with the boot.
Currie Chieftains S1’s 0 – 26 Linlithgow S1’s
Chieftains must have had a talking to by their coaches as they came out using the back line more effectively and almost scoring if it hadn’t been for a try-saving tackle by Nathan. Pushed back behind our touchline we should have kicked to clear but we tried to run it out which resulted in a knock on giving away a scrum on our 5m line. A massive push from the home team meant a scrum against the head and their only try of the game which was converted.
Linlithgow’s ruck speed was excellent throughout, and they soon had the ball again with Nathan running from his own 22. The ball popped out in front of Archie who lit the after burners for a 60m sprint up the pitch. Max was back on the tee after some words of wisdom from the coaches and his kicking boots were laced up correctly again.
Logan P and Lucas had some history with a few of the players from the Livingston days and they combined in the thick of it to slam Currie back time and time again to show dominance in the forwards. The unrelenting attitude and determination are some of what gave Lucas the Unsung hero award from last night’s awards. Max and Joe were another double act, combining to set up Finlay for his second which Max popped over with ease to show great composure.
Some great combinations straight from the training field saw Currie run ragged in defence until a few missed tackles released Scott (Breakthrough player of the season) from in front of the posts with an outstanding pick up from his feet to score under the posts for Max to slot over again.
Linlithgow showed great grit as they had to defend for the next few minutes when a textbook tackle from Callum followed up by a jackaling Joe had it back to Callum who had the whole pitch to cover for his third try which again Max sailed over the posts to end the second third.
Currie Chieftains S1’s 7 – 54 Linlithgow S1’s
Although the game was over, we remained pumped and wanted more tries. The game was getting heated in the forwards as well as in the tackles when Callum set off yet again with a perfectly legal hand off that sent the attempted tackler flying with the energy equalling a mass velocity type of thing that he had created. This set off some argy bargy, seeing Callum being sent off for a short time before being reinstated to the pitch after some lengthy discussions between the coaches and officials. After the deliberations Linlithgow started with a penalty and Archie took advantage and scored his second try out on the right. The conversion wider this time and Nathan took a bit too much turf and fell short for distance on this occasion.
For the final minutes it remained with the forwards who eventually grinded out a tenth try. It appeared Logan C was over but it wasn’t clear to the referee, so Scott finished it with a more obvious grounding this time. Max concluded the game with another excellent kick to complete as good a team performance as they’ve had this season, with Finlay receiving man of the match.
It just never quite clicked for Currie today, although on another day they could have been much more formidable opponents, as they have in the past. In typical rugby spirt the two teams chanted cheers to each other after the battle, even if Currie had to have a second attempt to get the volume up a bit.