Sloppy Reds grab important victory

Linlithgow Reds came back from a three week lay-off with a vital 17-11 East Region League One away win over Penicuik but the margin of victory should have been much greater.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, the Reds grabbed the game’s first points through a Jack Frame penalty.

The away side enjoyed almost constant territorial advantage but mistakes were hampering their progress. Eventually the pressure paid off as Eric Williams went over for a try in the corner, with the conversion missing.

Penicuik were able to reduce the deficit with a penalty of their own, but that was answered by Linlithgow’s Frame just before the break to give his side an 11-3 half-time lead.

The second half start badly for the Reds, with the home side scoring in the corner to make it a three-point game at 11-8.

This seemed to spur the Reds on as they enjoyed sustained pressure but couldn’t make it count as they missed two penalties and a drop goal.

With a slender lead, the Reds would finally get more points on the board as Frame notched a pair of penalties to make it 17-8 to the away side and give them some breathing space.

A Penicuik penalty with three minutes left made for a frantic ending, but the Reds held firm and clinched their fourth win of the campaign.

They have another away day this weekend when they make the daunting trip to face league leaders Murrayfield Wanderers.