No subs? No problem!  Reds 2s show their mettle

Linlithgow  12 – 31  Biggar

Saturday 15 November 2025

Report by Graeme Miller

The 2nd XV took on Biggar with a squad of 15 on Saturday afternoon at home. The game was pretty evenly matched despite the final scoreline of 12-31 with Biggar scoring 5 tries to the home side’s 2.

The away side scored first after 10 minutes from a Linlithgow line-out mistake which the Biggar team capitalised on well. The conversion followed, 0-7 to the visitors. However, five minutes later the home side had worked their way up the pitch for captain Cammie Murrie to score under the posts from a great piece of backs handling! Murray Johnstone converting, 7-7.

A study in concentration – Murray Johnstone lines up his successful conversion

The game continued evenly until a good set of phases put the Biggar side crossing our try line again after 20 minutes despite a couple of potential knock-ons! Conversion achieved, 7-14 to the visitors. Biggar hit again on 30 minutes after the Linlithgow boys lost an attacking line-out deep in the Biggar half and the away side managed a run away try with no conversion, 7-19 at the half time break. 

Despite being ahead the Biggar team lost a bit of tackle technique, twice before half time resulting in two yellow cards in quick succession, especially the second card where the yellow card / high tackle resulted in a whole group discussion about the relative pros and cons on the subject!

The Linlithgow boys unfortunately struggled to capitalise on the brief period of numbers advantage at the start of the second half and lost a driving, Biggar maul and a resulting great set of running backs handling and the score extended to 7-26 with the visitors converting their fourth try 10 minutes into the half.

Rucking and handling from both sides continued to a pretty high standard from until with 10 minutes left, Biggar sealed their victory with their last try from a Linlithgow attack that the visitors stole possession and once again ran the length from a few potential knock-ons.

Euan McCartney sets the play going that led to the Reds try in the near corner

The final say however, came from the home sides forwards creating great ruck ball for the backs to run a few “rehearsed” moves and winger, Fraser Miller danced down the tram line beating three Biggar players to score in the corner with the last play of the game.  Murray Johnstone’s touchline conversion attempt was only just wide, leaving the final score at 12-31.

A great shout-out needs to go to all 15 Linlithgow boys to managed the whole game against the 19 man Biggar squad.

Graeme Millar

Linlithgow 2s Team

View from the touchline…

Five things we learned about the 2s:

The 2s have a great team spirit

Despite having only 15 players (no bench), all the players stuck to task and were still playing good rugby at the end. The final play resulted in a great try in the corner from Fraser Miller, with a ‘worldie’ of a finish, but it only happened because of the work of others to get the ball to him 10 metres out on the far touchline from where the play started.

The young guns have potential

Against a much more experienced team, some with game time in the National 1 league, the young Reds 2s players showed real flashes of ability and skill. Euan McCartney was one that caught the eye – he was a live-wire at scrum half all game and put in some great cover tackles.

Experience stills counts though

And none more so than Neil Lockhart in the pack and Cammie Murrie in the backs. Neil led the pack well and was prominent in both set-piece and loose play, while Cammie guided the team from full back, popping up to score an excellent try from 40 metres out.

Mark Green looks a great fit in the back row

The long-time Reds centre was in the thick of the action and was able to make his running and tackling skills count all match. As he approaches a significant birthday, he looks to have reinvented himself on the pitch.

Keep playing rugby and the results will follow

Two of Biggar’s tries came from Reds’ attacks or counterattacks that broke down. These will come right with more game time and should result in more points scored and less conceded!

KR

Neil Lockhart times his jump as Max Holt’s throw eludes the Biggar jumper