Good Victory Marred by Injury
Linlithgow 14 – 7 North Berwick
Saturday 26 November 2022
Report by Phil McCavish
The Young Reds played their final competitive game of the season against North Berwick on Saturday.
It was our first competitive game at Winchburgh on the 3G pitch and both teams were glad to be able to play the game given the recent weather, and both teams knew that a win would see them finish second in the conference.
The Young reds elected to play into a strong breeze in the first half which meant that position on the pitch could only be gained through hard work. Both teams defensively cancelled each other out for the first 15 minutes, but the Young Reds started to get some success out wide.
Alex was proving to be a handful for the NB centres and managed to get the ball to Ali B mid way in the Linlithgow half. A great run from Ali B and good support from Connor took the play into the NB half, Aidan had tracked play the initial breakdown on o provide extra support but was unfortunately bundled into touch 10m from the try line.
The Young Reds knew that they they had the beating of NB out wide and a few minutes later the same combinations again carried the ball 7 up the pitch – Alex creating havoc for the centres, Ali B being elusive an Connor running a great support line. Aidan again had run from the ruck deep in his own half to get on the outside of Connor, this time despite a tap tackle on the 5m line Aidan was able to finish the move with a well deserved try. Matthew stepped up to take the conversion into the ‘stiff breeze’ and added the extra points from out wide.
NB started the second half knowing that they hadn’t made enough of the advantage of the wind in the first half. The Young Reds weathered the early storm, and a text book scissor’s move saw Jack stroll through the middle of the NB defence to score the second try. Matthew added the extra points from his second conversion.
Whilst NB pulled a try back, the Young Reds never looked like relinquishing their lead and the saw the game out through good defence.
A good way to sign off the competitive games for the year was unfortunately marred by the injury to Ektor who suffered a broken leg in the first half – everyone’s thoughts are with Ektor and are hoping he makes a speedy recovery.