Reds suffer heavy blow

Linlithgow Reds’inconsistent season continued with a surprise 51-20 home defeat against Hawick Harlequins.

The visitors entered the clash unbeaten so it was never going to be an easy task for the Reds, but the heavy nature of the defeat will have been particularly shocking for the home fans and players.

Harlequins took the lead early on through a penalty but the hosts scored the first try of the game through new signing Eric Williams, with Jack Frame adding the two bonus points.

That was as good as it got for Linlithgow, though, who were hit for three tries in quick succession prior to the interval that effectively handed the win to Hawick.

Frame added a penalty just before the half-time whistle to make it a two-try game at 24-10 to the away side which at least gave the Reds some hope at the break.

They dominated the early play in the second half but the‘Quins defence held firm and that put paid to any hopes of Linlithgow managing a fight back.

They stretched the lead to 19 points on 55 minutes when they scored an unconverted try before, much like the first half, adding another two in quick succession as the lead became 34 points.

Despite the game being done and dusted as a contest, the Reds refused to give up and they were rewarded for their effort with two late tries through Euan Murray and Ross Plenderleith, although they were either side of Hawick’s seventh and final score.

The Reds travel to Berwick on Saturday.