League Leaders Too Strong for Reds 2s

Watsonian 2s  44 – 12  Linlithgow 2s

Saturday 16 December 2023

Report by Des Martin

Photos by Graham Black

Saturday was the return match for the back-to-back fixture.  The Reds had come out on the wrong side of the result the previous week but hoped to improve on that at Myreside. 

The team was a strong seconds’ side with some returning injured senior players and a few who needed more game time.

The Reds kicked of down the hill and were soon pressurising the opposition team. From some good play, Conor Finlay made his way between the posts and converted his own try. 

Watsonians are not at the top of this league for nothing and, after a series of strong thrusts in midfield, scored a brace of tries.  In the process Oscar Davies, who was first up in the tackle, hurt his shoulder rotor cuff and came off. He was replaced by Sam Buckley delighted to be on at wing forward were he stayed for the rest of the game! 

The Reds turned round at half time 17-5 down and the manager feared it would be a difficult second half. Playing with the wind and the slope Watsonians knew how to play the conditions and gradually increased their lead.  Injuries forced the Reds to make changes leaving the team with Alex McHardy as the sole jumper, as Eoin Magee and Fin Chadwick had to come off.

This meant that a more direct approach had to be taken with Adam Buckley, Adam Scott, Stu Young and Sam Buckley all driving hard at the opposition. Linlithgow scored another try through Cammy Murrie taking the total up to 12 points for Linlithgow.

Although everyone tried valiantly, the Watsonians’ team scored a few more tries and the final score ended 44-12 to the home team and unbeaten league leaders. A hard day at the office but Christmas is here.  A bit of time off and back to action in the new year.