Derby win is icing on cake on club’s 50th birthday
Livingston RFC celebrated their 50th anniversary in style with a derby victory over Linlithgow in the opening league match of the season.
In front of a packed Almond Park, the hosts secured a 26- 11 win to get their East Region League One campaign up and running.
The two sides traded penalties in the early stages with Linlithgow taking a 6-3 lead before tries from Marius Tamosaitis and Jason Watt helped Livi sit 18-6 to the good at half-time.
A penalty from Cammy McLeary after the break extended the lead to 21-6 which was reduced when John Chapman touched down Linlithgow’s only try of the game.
However, the home side showed their resilience by refusing to buckle under the pressure before McLeary completed the scoring as sheer determination saw him break tackles to grab a try.
The match wasn’t the biggest event, though, on a day of celebration for the club formed in 1968.
To mark the occasion, the Calcutta Cup made an appearance at Almond Park. Spectators, players and officials were encouraged to lift the famous trophy – first played for in 1879 and currently in Scottish hands following a 25-13 win over England at Murrayfield earlier in the year. Scottish Rugby Union President Dee Bradbury was in attendance and she unveiled a commemorative plaque with club president Lee Anne Steel.
Prior to the match, there was a dinner to mark the anniversary with special guests including Ian Wilson, the club’s first- ever captain, and former Scotland internationalists Duncan Wilson and Alex Moore, both of whom represented Livingston during their illustrious careers.
With first and second XV teams, along with a healthy youth and women’s section, the club continues to grow from strength to strength.
Here’s to the next 50 years of Livingston Rugby Football Club.