Reds swept aside in BT Shield final
Linlithgow have no answer to Wanderers’class
BT Edinburgh Shield Final Linlithgow Reds suffered a heavy defeat as they hosted Murrayfield Wanderers in the BT Edinburgh Shield final.
While the scoreline doesn’t reflect too kindly on the Reds, Murrayfield are the East Region League One leaders and went into the contest with just a single defeat to their name.
And they showed from the first whistle why they are considered favourites from promotion as they quickly raced out to a 14-0 lead.
The Reds were coming off their West Lothian Trophy victory against AS Minorange in France the previous week but they were finding the capital club a much sterner test.
The visitors would prove to be too strong for Linlithgow as they ran in a further three tries and produced some terrific, flowing rugby before the break.
The Mains Park outfit were able to get on the scoreboard in the last action of the first half when Andrew Whitelaw, knowing his side had advantage, attempted a long-range drop goal that flew between the uprights to give the Reds their first points of the afternoon.
It did little to reduce the deficit, but the score gave the hosts something to show for all their effort in the first 40 minutes.
The game followed a similar pattern in the second half as it was evident Murrayfield wouldn’t take their foot off the gas, scoring a converted try within 60 seconds of the restart.
Linlithgow continued to battle and they had the Wandies defence worried on occasions but squandered a glorious chance for their first try when the ball was spilled with the hosts having an overlap on the wing.
Inevitably, Murrayfield went the length of the park to score after repelling the Linlithgow pressure before adding another to make it 59-3. The Reds, though, were able to score a try in the final stages as they made the most of Murrayfield being reduced to 14 men.
Sean Hagerty bullied his way forward and rounded-off the play with a fine try, which was converted by Jack Frame.
This, though, was undoubtedly Murrayfield’s day and they finished the game in style with a final converted try as they emphatically clinched the trophy and the semifinal spot in the National Shield competition that was the reward for their win.
Linlithgow have no league game this week but will host Welsh side Furnace on Friday evening.