Reds turn on the style in the top of the table clash with Hamilton Bulls
Hamilton Bulls 35 – 45 Linlithgow Reds
Saturday 18 October 2025
Report by David Mitchell, photos by Graham Black
Linlithgow made the short trip to the Laigh Bent Playing Fields in Hamilton on Saturday in this latest clash in the Arnold Clark National League Division 4. After last week’s thumping win over Stewartry, the Reds were still expecting a tough assignment against a Hamilton side also riding high in the league table. There was a breeze blowing and both teams also had to contend with an unevenly cut pitch.
There was the usual large and vociferous travelling support who welcomed Andrew Graham back into the forward pack for his 1st game of the season. The Reds were otherwise unchanged and looking to build on the consistency of selection so far this season.
The home side made a fast start with some aggressive driving play and solid passing moves, and they opened the scoring within 5 minutes of the start with a converted try. However, this was to be their only points of the 1st half as the visitors dominated possession and territory. Ewan Curran continued his fine try scoring form on the left wing when he scored 2 quick fire tries. The first came after a clean break from Ruaridh Stewart took play deep into the Bulls half and the Reds won a line-out inside the 22-metre area. Kyle Ormond found his target jumper Oscar Davies and clean ball was provided to allow Archie Rusack to release the back division and a long pass from Jack Frame bounced kindly for Ewan Curran who crashed over at the corner flag. Jack Frame added the extra points from the touchline to make the score 7-7.
The next try was another score direct from a clean line-out take allowing Jack Frame to throw a long pass to Ruaridh Stewart who shipped it to Ross Tulloch and he timed a fine scoring pass to Ewan Curran.
Ross Tulloch times the pass perfectly to put Ewan Curran in for his 2nd try
At this stage, the Reds were exploiting the wide areas of the pitch where so many of their tries have been scored this season and Hamilton were struggling to cope with the speed and creativity of the visitors play.
The Reds were keen to initiate attacks from almost anywhere on the pitch as they gradually softened up the home side and it was no surprise when the visitors scored a 3rd try. The move again worked smoothly after great line-out ball being won and a straightforward passing move culminating in a beautiful offload from Ruaridh Stewart to the marauding right winger Luke O’Hara who galloped over the line for a try that was converted by Jack Frame.
Graham Black captures the action perfectly as Luke O’Hara blasts over for his try
Just before half time, the Reds added the Bonus Point try with another cracking score. Captain Fraser Mochrie made a clean break through the middle and into the Hamilton 22- metre area and a penalty was won in the shadow of the posts. However such was the Reds confidence level, they decided to opt for a scrum and a planned backs move. After a rock-solid scrum, Archie Rusack set the back line in motion with Jack Frame passing to Alfie Muir who delivered the ball to Ruaridh Stewart with a gloriously timed and disguised short pass and the big centre romped over the line. Jack Frame added the extra points with the last action of the half.
Half time: Hamilton Bulls 7 – 26 Linlithgow Reds
After a fast start by the home side, the Reds took control with some devastating open play moves and they thoroughly deserved their good half time lead. Some of the continuity play was excellent with forwards and backs alike showing real ambition and adventure.
Hamilton opened the scoring in the 2nd half when their number 10 strolled through some weak Reds defence to score a try which he also converted. However, the Reds response was instantaneous when, from a line-out, Archie Rusack dummied a pass and drew in the opposition allowing Jamie Tulloch to weave his way through the Hamilton defence for a well earned try.
Jamie Tulloch in action earlier in the game – scroll to the top to see him celebrate his try
The home side never gave up and they managed another close range converted try to take the score within 10 points of the Reds at 21-31. The next score was going to be crucial and thankfully it was scored by the Reds. Replacement forward Kieran Cochrane made an immediate impact from the bench when he took a ball at the front of the line-out and was stopped just short of the line. The recycled ball was moved quickly to the right corner where Jack Frame was stopped, but the ball was made available to Kieran Cochrane who drove hard towards the line and stretched out a long arm to slam the ball down for the try.
Kieran Cochrane stretches out to score
Jack Frame added the conversion to restore the 17 point lead. Murray Johnstone, Aiden Mochrie and Eioan Magee were all introduced from the bench and slotted in seamlessly as the Reds upped the intensity.
The visitors sensed that victory was within their grasp and decided to go for it. Jack Frame knocked a penalty kick deep into the corner near the Hamilton line and the pack decided to take on the responsibility to score. Kyle Ormond threw in accurately, and the pack gathered the ball and slowly drove over the line for the touchdown with Kyle Ormond, himself, emerging with the ball and a huge grin on his face. Jack Frame added the touchline conversion to give the Reds an unassailable lead.
In a disappointing finish to the game, the home side scored 2 converted tries as the Reds seemed to lose concentration and failed to do the basics of defence. The final action saw Ewan Curran denied a hat trick of tries as he lost the ball in the act of scoring, but the Reds were still able to celebrate a very good victory that could and should have been achieved by a far wider margin.
Full time: Hamilton Bulls 35 – 45 Linlithgow Reds
Reds Team
Front row: Calum McKeown, Kyle Ormond, Andrew Graham
Second row: Lewis McGill, Fraser Mochrie (captain)
Back row: Euan Mochrie, Jamie Tulloch, Oscar Davies
Half-backs: Archie Rusack, Jack Frame
Centres: Alfie Muir, Ru Stewart
Back three: Ewan Curran, Luke O’Hara, Ross Tulloch
Subs (all played):
Aiden Mochrie, Kieran Cochrane, Eioan Magee, Murray Johnstone
Comment
This was another 19 man performance from the Reds ably supported by a clear game plan provided by the coaching staff. The ambition shines through in all aspects of play with consistent team selection being a key element. Discipline has been improved and again there were no yellow cards to impair the performance of the team.
Although the team’s attacking prowess was evident throughout, it was only possible due to some early strong defence with individual outstanding contributions from Lewis McGill, Oscar Davies and Ruaridh Stewart among others. Andrew Graham made a fine return to the team and was part of a very effective front 5 ably supported by the usual strong back row contributors.
In the back line it is a joy to watch the speed, creativity and accuracy of the handling moves but also the hard running with the Rolls Royce of the team, Ruaridh Stewart, delivering one of the great performances of the season to date (he was named MotM by Hamilton).
“Poetry in motion” – Ru glides through the defence
Ross Tulloch continues to thrive at full back in what always looks like a fine attacking back line.
Next week Ardrossan are the visitors to Mains Park with a 3pm start. They will present another stiff challenge for the Reds, and a large home crowd should be there in anticipation of another cracking home performance.