Law and behold the Under 14’s are tough mudders
North Berwick 50 – 33 Linlithgow
Saturday 6th December 2025
Report by Stuart Taylor
This fixture was originally scheduled for Saturday 4th October but Storm Amy put paid to most rugby that day and so the under 14’s travelled through to face North Berwick on Saturday for their rescheduled and final fixture of the Inspiresport Boy’s Caledonia/East Schools Conference.
The North Berwick squad entered this final conference match undefeated having got the better of the Reds at Mains Park on the first match of the season. While the Reds had a healthy respect for this strong North Berwick team the fixture represented a tantalising prospect to spoil the league winners unblemished conference record.
With squelchy conditions underfoot, chat on the side-lines turned to who’s footwear was most appropriate with some clearly oblivious to the forecast from the night before. The muddy conditions did nothing to dampen the spirits of both teams who looked like they had played a game when their warm up ended.
The under 14’s were scheduled to play on the sloping northern pitch with the hosts graciously or perhaps tactically running up hill in the first half. The Reds would have to make this apparent advantage count as legs would be tired in the second half given the heavy ground. The Reds struck first within the opening minute with Rory weaving his way towards the opposition’s 22 before being brought down with Callum on hand to collect followed by a trademark talismanic run with North Berwick players falling in his wake before scoring below the posts which Nathan converted. 7 points up, great start.
North Berwick regrouped and were rewarded with a scrum inside their half and despite their put in, the ball was clear for Jay topick up behind the Red pack with a dummy run to the open field Jay then astutely doubled back and charged down the blindside channel diving over the white wash for Linlithgow’s second try, before the North Berwick defence had cottoned on to what was happening. With the awkward conversion kick dropping short Linlithgow had scored 12 unanswered points. You could sense this was unfamiliar territory so early on for North Berwick.
In a dominant display it was some time before North Berwick entered Linlithgow’s half. With the Reds pressing forward, North Berwick were forced to make pressured decisions constantly resetting their defensive line. The ball found its way to Archie on the left of the field who shipped a pass out to Finlay on the wing who turned on the thrusters and went over for Linlithgow’s 3rd try. Max’s conversion hit the inside of the post and went over, 19 points to the good.
The slippy ball and ground conditions proved difficult for both teams with some miss timed passes from the advancing Red players which led to knock-ons inside the oppositions half. North Berwick didn’t need too many of these early Christmas presents, before they capitalised on a lapse in Linlithgow’s concentration with an unsupported ruck leading to a turnover on the half way line. North Berwick had some classy players eager to showcase their powerful running. Their talented centre fended his way over the try line at the corner which was followed with a neat conversion kick. The Reds were still 12 points clear. Dare we believe!
North Berwick started to show their reputation was deserved and were pressing forward with Linlithgow having to defend within their 22 when the ball broke clear for a Linlithgow turnover. The Reds shifted the ball coast to coast making its way to fullback Joe who ran the ball out to the 22 gaining vital ground before finding Callum who smashed his way through the heart of the North Berwick defensive line. Miraculously when Callum broke free of North Berwick shirts he managed to keep his feet in the slippy conditions with a spectacular try below the posts created from well inside the Reds half. With the conversion in front of the posts Rory slotted the ball over for a pleasing 19 point lead. Scotland sports fans everywhere understand the feeling on the side line at this point!
This comfortable lead was short lived as North Berwick impressively moved the ball efficiently and consistently beat the Reds to the breakdown. With the Reds now scrambling to defend the line, the hosts moved from one side of the pitch to the other gaining ground and hammering away until inevitably their skilful number 12 burst through below the posts which was then converted.
Sitting 12 points ahead, with the half time whistle seconds away, the Reds absorbed attack after attack from the North Berwick players until an excellent and timely jackal from Lucas saw the Reds regain possession. At this crucial point in the game (commonly referred to as squeaky bum time!), cries to kick it out could be heard from the side lines. Sadly the Red’s possession was short-lived when they opted to bravely run the ball and left a ball carrier unsupported. Penalty for holding on. With the penalty awarded, North Berwick showed a ruthlessness and punished the Reds with a converted try just before the half time whistle. North Berwick 21 – 26 Linlithgow.
This would prove to be a difficult pill to swallow. The realisation that their hard fought points margin was reduced by conceding two tries in the later stage set in amongst the Reds. This was the momentum shift that North Berwick needed in a half that had been largely dominated by Linlithgow.
Buoyed with confidence at finding a way back into a game where they were up against it, North Berwick now had the opportunity to kick deep into the Linlithgow 22. The home team now had the advantage of attacking downhill, using their local knowledge well.
While the Reds fought admirably uphill throughout the second half, it was North Berwick who were the more ruthless, capitalising on each of the Reds handling errors and some tough calls from the official. North Berwick were clearly determined to finish the conference fixtures undefeated and impressively scored four unanswered tries, converting only one, taking the score line to North Berwick 43 – 26 Linlithgow.
Despite the North Berwick comeback there was a lot of positives from the Reds within the second half with some good moments for further reflection. Reliable as ever Archie, Logan, Lucas, Bailie, Struan and Tom tackled heroically throughout the match. Ruairi, Blair, Nathan, Jack and Finlay stuck to task with relentless supportive runs despite the conditions.
The Reds no 10 Max had a steady game, closing in on the full time whistle he executed a fine kick to the corner. With the Reds playing for pride, the ball made its way from the line out to Jay who craftily outwitted North Berwick again by opting to run the ball round the line out rather than pass to the centres. A moment of magic as he crashed over for a welcome second half try which Nathan converted.
North Berwick capitalised on a wayward Reds grubber kick in the closing stages of the game and ran in the last try of the match which was converted to claim a well-deserved victory, maintaining an impressive 100% win record within the conference.
All of the Reds tackled hard and stepped up to the challenge against this tough North Berwick side in tough conditions. Special mention for full back Joe (pictured) who seemed to revel in the mud and worked tirelessly in both attack and in defence with some excellent no.15, try saving tackles receiving the player of the match accolade.
The under 14’s Linlithgow squad huddled at the end of the game like satisfied tough mudder race completers and soon got over the loss to a strong side by chasing their travelling and horrified supporters for a muddy hug and making use of an impromptu mudslide to execute their perfect post match Klinsmann dives. The team should be proud of their efforts and worked hard but not as hard as the washing machines would have to!