Reds win titanic physical encounter with Kilmarnock
Linlithgow 24 – 22 Kilmarnock
Saturday 17 January 2026
Report by David Mitchell with photos by Graham Black
Rugby returned to Mains Park after a 5 week break with an old fashioned battle between the Reds and high-flying Kilmarnock in this Arnold Clark National League Division 4 fixture. A late pitch inspection was required and thankfully the game went ahead as planned and a decent sized crowd were treated to a very physical encounter. Reds scrum half Archie Rusack played his 50th game for the Reds and delivered his usual high quality performance both in attack and defence.
Another fine break from Archie Rusack
The early exchanges were evenly contested with both sides taking a while to blow away the cobwebs from the long lay-off and defences were very much on top. The tackling was very committed from both teams, and the forward set piece play was evenly matched despite a significant physical size advantage for the away team. The first points came in the 25th minute with a penalty kick by Jack Frame from in front of the posts.
This seemed to act as a spur to the visitors as they upped their driving forward play and were rewarded with an unconverted try following a series of penalties close to the Reds’ goal line. Within minutes, Kilmarnock bullied their way into the heart of the Reds’ defence again and they scored a 2nd try which went unconverted.
At this stage the Reds needed something special to achieve parity by half time, but in fact they hit a 5-minute purple patch to take an unexpected lead. From a midfield scrum, Jack Frame looped round behind Alfie Muir and fired a pass to Ewan Curran who made good ground before being hauled down, however the ball was recycled and Archie Rusack spotted space on the narrow side and fed Ross Tulloch who stepped round the last defender to touch down for a try. Jack Frame added the touchline conversion to equalise the score at 10-10.
Ross Tulloch crosses for the Reds’ opening try
This was followed by the turning point of the match when scrum half Archie Rusack collected the ball at a line-out and set sail up field from just outside his own 22-metre area. Archie ran through or around a few despairing defenders and charged into the Kilmarnock 22-metre area with the home support roaring their encouragement for what would have been the most popular try for a very long time at Mains Park. He was eventually collared about 15 metres short of the line, but the ball was swiftly moved through several pairs of hands before Alfie Muir ran a nice line to burst through and dive over for a try to which Jack added the extra points.
Euan Mochrie guides Alfie Muir to the try line!
Half time: Linlithgow 17-10 Kilmarnock
Kieran Cochrane was introduced at the start of the half with early momentum being maintained by the home side, and it was no surprise when another Reds’ try was scored. Following a kick ahead by Kilmarnock the ever reliable Ross Tulloch gathered the ball and opened the play by releasing Alfie Muir, Jack Frame, Ruaridh Stewart and finally Ewan Curran who booted the ball deep into the Kilmarnock 22-metre area. The home side follow up work was exemplary with a trademark crunching tackle by Ruaridh Stewart and a flip pass from Jack Frame to Alfie Muir who drove towards the line before the ball was passed to Luke O’Hara who executed his usual clinical finish. Jack Frame added the extra points.
Luke O’Hara powers over for the Reds’ third try
With the score at 24-10, the home crowd were looking for the Bonus Point try, but sadly the Reds failed to score in the remaining 20 minutes despite the freshening up of the team with the introduction of Cam McHardy, Eioan Magee and Ross Plenderleith. All credit to Kilmarnock for upping their efforts and they succeeded in scoring 2 tries (1 converted) to make it a one score game leading to a tense finish. The referee managed to add 14 minutes of additional time, but the home side held out comfortably to record a hard fought but well deserved win.
Final score: Linlithgow Reds 24 – 22 Kilmarnock
Reds Team
Front row: Calum McKeown, Kyle Ormond, Andrew Graham
Second row: Fraser Mochrie (capt), Lewis McGill
Back row: Euan Mochrie, Jamie Tulloch, Oscar Davies
Half-backs: Archie Rusack, Jack Frame
Centres: Alfie Muir, Ruaridh Stewart
Back three: Ewan Curran, Luke O’Hara, Ross Tulloch
Subs (all played):
Cameron McHardy, Kieran Cochrane, Eioan Magee, Ross Plenderleith
Comment
This was a throwback to yesteryear with both teams fully committed to a very physical encounter with defences on top for lengthy periods. The Reds created fewer scoring chances than usual, but the defensive effort was one of the best of the season to date. The result moved the Reds to 2nd place in Division 4, only 1 point behind Cartha Queens Park, who have played 3 fewer games. As a measure of the progress this season, the Reds currently sit on 47 points from 13 games, whereas last season’s 16 fixtures only gained the Reds 44 points in total.
The forward pack performed as a very strong unit and held their own well at scrums on most occasions and competed very well at the line-outs, but the standout was the goal line defence fending off a multitude of Kilmarnock thrusts. Every player contributed with full commitment with Jamie Tulloch and Oscar Davies very prominent. The front five as a unit fought bravely against heavier opposition and should be very proud of their collective contribution to the victory.
The back division’s effort was also built on strong defence but with some flowing passing movements, a decent tactical kicking effort to push back the visiting side, and 3 clinical tries being scored at crucial times. The centres continue to dovetail effectively and both have a great eye for a gap. The back 3 again worked as an effective unit covering most of the pitch tirelessly. At half back, Archie Rusack tackled like a demon and drove his pack forwards and Jack Frame contributed 4 scoring kicks in difficult conditions to see the team over the line.
Next Saturday sees the Reds visit Castle Douglas for a game against Stewartry, always a difficult opponent at their home ground.