Reds fail to convert opportunities
Kilmarnock 42 – 14 Linlithgow
Saturday 15th November 2025
Report by Craig Young
Linlithgow travelled west on Saturday to face high flying Kilmarnock, who, in their last 5 games have scored 64,68,73,42 and 59 points. Missing 4 key players, including Fraser and Euan Mochrie, it was always going to be a stiff test.
Kilmarnock kicked off into a very stiff breeze and both teams were feeling their way for the first 12 minutes with neither able to mount a significant attack. However, on the 12th minute the home side broke the deadlock with a pushover try in the corner, followed by an impressive conversion into the wind. The game was still even at this point, with Linlithgow shading the possession and soon levelled the scores as Kieran Cochrane went over after a maul, Jack Frame converting.
Kieran Cochrane stretches out for the Reds opening try
When it was looking like Linlithgow were getting the better of the home side – disaster! Linlithgow gifted the opposition a try, when they had possession inside their 22 and, from a scrum a pass went over the head of the intended recipient and ended up between the posts on the goal line. Kilmarnock were quickest to react, scoring an easy try, duly converted.
Further poor defending on the halfway line enabled the Kilmarnock full back to burst through at least 3 tackles and then unload to the prop who ran in from 30 yards, duly converted. At this point, with over half an hour played the home side had only visited the Linlithgow 22 three times and had scored 3 tries.
As half time approached, good play from Jack Frame put Killie on the back foot and from a line out, the ball ended up with Ruaridh Stewart who ran in unopposed, duly converted by Jack Frame.
Ruaridh Stewart breaks away for the Reds second try
Right on the stroke of half time Linlithgow had a good chance to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty which was kickable but they declined and in the next play gave up a penalty for holding. HT 21-14
Linlithgow had an early chance to score in the second half, but the ball was knocked on almost in the act of scoring. It was all Linlithgow at this point, but inevitably it was Kilmarnock who scored a try (converted) with their first attack of the half. Linlithgow kept pressing and spent a lot of time in the opposition half, but a series of mistakes was frustrating everyone watching. Linlithgow squandered a few chances, with passes above the head and below the knees, and somewhat inevitably Killie scored a try with their next visit into the Linlithgow 22, duly converted. This, only their 5th visit to the 22. As the half progressed, the home side had a bit more possession and should have scored but they player dropped the ball in the act of scoring. Right at the end Kilmarnock scored their 6th converted try but there was a massive knock-on in the build up which the referee missed.
Final score: Linlithgow Reds 10 – 38 Falkirk Rugby Club
Reds Team
Front row: Calum McKeown, Kyle Ormond, Colin Devlin
Second row: Lewis McGill, Eioan Magee
Back row: Stuart Cunningham, Jamie Tulloch, Kieran Cochrane
Half-backs: Archie Rusack, Jack Frame
Centres: Alfie Muir, Ruaridh Stewart
Back three: Ewan Curran, Luke O’Hara, Ross Tulloch
Subs (all played):
Aiden Mochrie, Freddie Adcock, Ross Plenderleith
Comment
On paper it looks like a thrashing, but the scoreline flattered Kilmarnock. 35-28 might have been a fairer result. For half an hour in the second half Linlithgow had about 80% possession and scored nil points, while Kilmarnock only mounted 2 serious attacks in that period and scored 14 points!
It’s a case of what might have been. Linlithgow were dealt a harsh lesson in how to score tries when you are not on top in the game. Possibly 8 visits to the 22 and 6 tries scored. But they do need to work on their passing and tackling! Next Saturday Linlithgow are away to unbeaten Cartha Queens Park.