Thriller in Perthshire!
Strathallan School 35-33 Linlithgow U14s
Saturday 11th October
Report by Pablo Britos
The Young Reds travelled to Perthshire to face Strathallan U14s – clear skies and outstanding grounds in an almost idyllic setting were perfect for a game of rugby. Given Strathallan’s reputation for being one of the best rugby academies in Scotland and home of several Scotland internationals, the Young Reds were eager to test themselves and face the challenge. Said challenge arrived straight after kick-off; a clearly very well-coached team with plenty of pace and technical ability put the Reds’ defence under pressure. The forwards, including Jack B, Archie C, Finlay and Rory, were working overtime with daring tackles to hold Strathallan but they scored inside 3 minutes. (7-0)
At the restart, despite carries by Lucas, Finlay, Callum and both Logans, the Reds were still playing in their own half and a couple of penalties pinned the team back into its own 22. Living dangerously close to the try line, Logan C, Archie C and Joe putgood tackles to keep Strathallan at bay, although Strath’s forwards were first to the ruck and scored the second try which was then converted by their very accomplished fly half. (14-0)
Clearly the Young Reds’ needed a momentum shift and that came in the shape of Finlay breaking into the opposition’s half and then Callum receiving from a line out to score a brilliant try 40m out. Max bagged the conversion to reduce the score. (14-7)
At the restart, Rory got his hands on the ball and made another line break using brilliant footwork and gaining 25m to be in the opposition’s 22. Somehow Strathallan regained the ball attacking right to left and despite very good tackles by Jack (9), Rory and Archie C Strathallan managed to recycle and offload the ball to score a third try. The conversion made the score 21-7.
Although the deficit was still 14 points, the Reds were finding their feet as Jack (9), Archie C and Scott made very good runs deep inside Strathallan’s half putting their defence under pressure. A chip and chase by Strathallan was intercepted by Callum in his own 22, charging through their defence well-supported by Struan. The offload found Finlay who attacked from his own half, scoring a brilliant try and the conversion was secured by Max. (21-14)
The game was starting to become more balanced, played in the middle of the pitch; tackles and rucks were plenty as well as line breaks and tactical kicks. The ball, aided by strong winds, was like a boomerang always finding its way back to our 22. On this occasion Strathallan’s FB collected an aerial ball skillfully scoring the fourth try. Conversion was good. (28-14)
The Young Reds started the second half more determined to keep the upward trajectory despite being 14 points down against a very good team. Line speed was better, good pressure by Brodie and breaks by Callum and Archie C saw the Reds make inroads into the opposition’s 22, however their counterattack was deadly requiring a dominant tackle by Campbell to be stopped. Jack (9) and Logan C aborted the next wave of attack whilst Rory and Callum denied them by the corner.
It truly was non-stop action. After yet another ruck, this time Jack B was first to it, forcing a penalty. From the line out, the ball found Callum who ran centre left making another line break beating several players and scoring another great try under the posts. Rory nailed the conversion. (28-21)
A brilliant restart kick by Max found touch inside the 5m putting pressure on Strathallan. From an aerial ball Joe gained 20m then a dominant tackle by Jack (9) initiated several phases of attack – first by Callum on the left wing, then by Archie C making good metres on the opposite flank (hand-off technique probably taught by his dad) well inside Strathallan’s 22, next Rory beat everybody to the ruck starting another phase with carries by Jack (9), Campbell, Logan C and Lucas being held at the line. Trying to fend off Young Reds’ relentless attacks, Strathallan gave away a penalty which Jack (9) took quickly. Rory bravely tussled with three defenders to make the score 28 all as Max secured the conversion. (28-28)
Max’s restart kick was a carbon copy of the previous one but this time the Strathallan winger sent it into touch. From the line out, Callum powered through the middle of Strathallan’s 22 offloading to Archie C who carried into contact, Jack (9) set up Joe who managed to evade tackles, regain momentum and score a brilliant try to put Young Reds ahead in the score. (28-35)
With more than 15 minutes still to go, now it was Strathallan that needed a momentum shift. After a relentless tussle that lasted 8 minutes they managed to score and convert the extra 2 points to regain the lead. (35-33)
Strathallan chose to tap and go from a penalty inside Linlithgow’s 22 and scored in the corner only for the try to be pulled back for a forward pass. From their own scrum, Jack (9) linked up with Rory and Max to find Finlay. In a game full of moments of brilliance by both teams, Finlay produced an outstanding end-to-end run beating players with pace and clever footwork, and when trying to place the ball under the posts lost control to the dismay of all the screaming parents and coaches in the Red Camp. Strathallan players celebrated as they had a scrum nearing the end of the game but Logan P, Jack B, Scott and the rest of the pack were solid at scrum time. There were over 12 scrums during the whole game. This time the ball came off Linlithgow side, Jack (9) fed to Rory only to be denied 1m from the corner – so close yet so far!
Strathallan decided to ‘run it’ from the line up, the ball was moved fast into their right winger brilliantly stopped by Finlay with an ankle tap that Faf de Klerk would be proud of. When everything seemed lost yet another chance came for Linlithgow. Jack (9) fed Lucas to gain entry into Strathallan’s 22 and a last minute penalty was awarded to Linlithgow. Unfortunately, the Reds did not find touch from it and that brought the game to an end.
What a rollercoaster of emotions for players, coaches and parents in both camps! The spirit, resilience and pride the whole squad showed throughout the game to come back against a very accomplished team and be within a whisker of winning was the biggest take of the day.
Big thanks to Strathallan for hosting our team and for the sportsmanship shown throughout the game. The boys really enjoyed the post-match food selection which helped them to cheer them up.