Brave Reds denied victory by last kick of the match
Ardrossan Accies 28 – 27 Linlithgow
Saturday 21 March 2026
Report by David Mitchell, photos courtesy of Graham Black
Thick mist in Ardrossan greeted the Linlithgow raiding party for this Arnold Clark National League Division 4 game between the 2nd and 3rd ranked sides in the Division. The pitch was in poor condition with a few sanded areas and a soft tacky surface covering most of the playing area.
The Reds travelling support was sizeable for this last away game of the season and the away team did not disappoint as they tried to play their usual expansive game against a very one-dimensional home outfit. Both teams were at full strength for what turned out to be a real physical encounter.
The visitors kicked off down the slope and quickly established a position in the Ardrossan 22 metre area. The home side conceded many penalties as they tried to keep the Reds at bay. The away side refused several kickable penalties as they chased tries but to no avail in the first 20 minutes. Ardrossan eventually got into Reds’ territory and won a penalty which they kicked to make the score 3-0. There was an immediate reaction from the visitors with Euan Mochrie scoring a close range try after Jamie Tulloch was held just short of the try line. Jack Frame added the conversion.
There’s no stopping Euan Mochrie as he powers over the line for the Reds’ first try
Ardrossan did add another penalty soon after, but the Reds stormed back downfield and were rewarded with a typically slick try. Hooker Kyle Ormond found Oscar Davies in the line-out and Archie Rusack set the backs running hard at the Ardrossan midfield defence and after some neat passing, Jack Frame sent Ewan Curran over the line to complete a fine scoring move.
Ewan Curran claims his first try of the match
However, the home side claimed the final score of the half when, after a line-out catch and drive, they rumbled over the line for a try which was subsequently converted.
Half time: 13-12
Despite playing most of the good ambitious rugby during the half, the Reds were trailing at the break, The home side had played a very limited game involving number 8 pick-ups, long kicks from their number 10 and some decent line-out play. However, that limited approach obviously works for them as they are 2nd in the Division with only 3 defeats all season, 2 of which came at the hands of league leaders Cartha Queens Park.
The 2nd half started ominously with some early territorial pressure being applied by Ardrossan. However, after weathering the storm, the Reds hit a purple patch scoring 3 tries in a fantastic 15-minute spell.
After Jamie Tulloch dislodged the ball from the hands of the home full back, Oscar Davies and Andrew Graham tidied up and Archie Rusack fired out a pass to Alfie Muir who in turn released Ross Tulloch and he timed a nice pass to Jack Frame who outstripped the covering defence to score after a 70 metre run.
Jack Frame scores, outstripping both the defence and the cameraman!
The 2nd try in this spell came from a typically adventurous effort when Ewan Curran scored wide out on the left wing after great interplay between forwards and backs. There were several strong carries by the pack setting up Ross Tulloch to supply the final pass to Ewan Curran.
Ewan Curran dives over for his second try
The next try came straight from a poor restart kick by the Ardrossan number 10. From the resulting scrum, Archie Rusack decided to try the narrow side, and this caught the home defence by surprise. Archie fed Ross Tulloch who slipped the ball to Alfie Muir who sprinted from halfway to score a fine try.
Alfie sets off on his try scoring run
At this stage, with about 20 minutes remaining, the Reds held a 13-27 advantage and needed to continue to stretch the tiring Ardrossan forward pack. However, the visitors were unable to sustain their play in the wide areas and Ardrossan pulled them back into a close quarters game which suited the home side. In addition, the Reds began to be penalised on a regular basis which led to play moving into their 22 metre area. The visitors also deployed their replacements from the bench with Cam McHardy, Murray Johnstone, Kieran Cochrane and Eioan Magee trying to shore up the team as the game headed for a tight finish.
The home side scored from a line-out catch and drive before adding another try on the right wing. Only 1 of these tries was converted but that still took scoreline to 25-27 with only a few minutes left to play. However, the visitors made a superb effort to defend their goal line and succeeded in denying Ardrossan a Bonus Point try. With the crowd baying for the final whistle, the Reds even managed a late break out, but the final pass was adjudged to have gone forward and from the ensuing scrum, the home side were awarded a penalty which they kicked. The referee blew for full time to bring the match to an end.
Final score: Ardrossan Accies 28 – 27 Linlithgow Reds
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, Murray Johnstone, Eioan Magee
Comment
An agonising end to a game where the team playing most of the rugby lost out in controversial circumstances. Although there were several stoppages in play, the referee clearly indicated 12 minutes left to play and then proceeded to play fully 18 minutes rather than 12. However, some credit must go to Ardrossan for finding the way to win despite their limited creativity.
The Reds outscored the home side by 5 tries to 3 with the usual sprinkling of long distance tries and even the home captain admitted that the Reds deserved a victory. But the scoreboard does not lie.
There were some towering performances, particularly in the forward pack, with Lewis McGill, Jamie Tulloch, Euan Mochrie and Oscar Davies worthy of special mention. The ninth forward that is Archie Rusack continues to set the standard for scrum half defence including a mighty saving tackle on the Ardrossan number 8.
Archie Rusack – the Reds ninth forward!
The back line found it difficult to make clear breaks apart from the 3 try scoring spree in the 2nd half but still stuck to the expansive game plan on show all season.
All in all, much to be proud of in the performance and it confirmed that the Reds belong in the top few clubs in the Division. Next week sees the last fixture at home to Cartha Queens Park who can clinch the Division 4 title at Mains Park if they win. A great incentive for the Reds to spoil the Cartha party and complete the league programme with a win.