Reds Keep Winning
Linlithgow 19 Highland 0
Another league match, another win!
Photos courtesy of John Preece, unless otherwise stated.
John Petrie wrapped up well for what was a very chilly day!
The Linlithgow line up was much the same as the previous week, the only change being the absence of Mark Green, attending a job interview, with Dave Goudie coming in at centre:
Matt Dixon (capt); Gordon White, Chris Bredin, David Goudie, Stuart Cunningham; Tim Meadows, Mikey Walker; Duncan McLeod, Kevin Hope, Euan Gunn; Stuart Jamieson, Stuart Bell; Andrew Archer, Euan Richardson, Charlie Gillanders.
Subs: Mark Dixon, Billy Edment, Nicky Cowan.
As can be seen from the early action, it was a very competitive match!
Highland had most of the territorial advantage for the first 15 minutes and, the first time the Reds entered the Highland 22, they scored! Linlithgow secured turnover ball just inside the Highland 22 and spun it quickly to the open rightside. Gordon White, on the right wing, had been lying deep in cover before the turnover, so when Chris Bredin passed out to the wing, Gordon was still making up ground! However, he pounced on the bounce-ball and, showing real determination and aggression, cut through the cover defence in a 20 metre run, only to be brought to ground just short of the line. The support was there in numbers though and Euan 'Les' Richardson was driven over the line near the corner for the opening try. Matt Dixon then sent the conversion, from the wrong touchline, straight between the posts to make it 7-0 for the Reds.
A few minutes later, The Reds returned to the Highland 22 and, from a line-out close to the Highland line, the pack rumbled and crashed over for a Kevin hope try.
Kevin 'the mole' emerges into the daylight (try two)
The half ended with Linlithgow close again to the Highland line - the score Linlithgow 12 Highland 0.
The Reds turned round with the north east wind veering behind them and with the hope that this would lead to territory and more tries, but Highland had other thoughts and it wasn't until about 25 minutes into the second half that the Reds scored again - a very similar try to the second, with Kevin Hope again popping up with the ball after the surge over the Highland line...
The last 15 minutes were near continuous pressure as the Reds chased the fourth try and the bonus point, but Highland were not for giving up and held out till the final whistle, which came with Linlithgow camped on their 5 metre line.
A good win for the Reds 19-0 to post 19 wins out of 21 matches played.
More action photos courtesy of John Preece:
Gutsy Highland defence keeps 'Chunk' out
That's no way to treat the son of an ex Highland RFC prop named Goudie!
(The Highland player above was probably lucky to stay on the park after this one,
having been yellow-carded earlier in the match)
Tim in action
Gordon White
Spectacular missed tackle as Mikey sets off on a run!
Stuart Jamieson has been a stalwart for the Reds all season and had another superb match - click here for a photo feature on the big man!
Charlie 'the poacher' Gillanders as his graceful best (courtesy of Paul Birrell)
Match report to appear here later...
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