Linlithgow fall at home to Portobello

Portobello completed the West Lothian double by clinching a 26-7 victory over Linlithgow just a week after getting the better of Livingston.

And, as had been the case the previous week, Ports used a second half fightback to seal the deal in a scrappy affair.

A try apiece was all either side could muster in the first half at Mains Park, only difference being that the hosts converted theirs as they went into the break sitting 7-5 in front.

The Reds have had more than their fair share of injury problems already this term and Saturday was no different as full-back Rab Cairns was unavailable while Mark Caddle was forced to drop out late on thanks to a leg injury, meaning a first call into the matchday squad for Finbar Conway.

Despite a spirited display, the hosts would end up with nothing to show for their efforts as the travelling side made the most of their chances, while Linlithgow squandered theirs.

Conor Dempsey gave Ports the lead with a fine try after the break but it was still a one-score game entering the final stages with the Reds trailing 12-7.

They were unable to turn the game around, though, as further tries from Cammy Walker and Alasdair Bain wrapped up the bonus point win for Portobello and left the Reds sitting at the foot of the East Region League One table

They will be aiming to pick up just their second win of the campaign on Saturday as they travel to a Broughton side coming off an away loss to Livingston.

Elsewhere, Linlithgow Academy’s under-16 side put up a valiant effort in a 34-22 home loss to Dundee in the Scottish Schools’Cup.

Having beaten Glasgow Academy in the previous round, confidence was high that they could once again knock-out more illustrious opposition, but a torrid first half display ensured that wouldn’t be the case.

The visiting side grabbed three tries in the space of nine first half minutes after a slow start to jump out to a 19-0 lead that the young Reds were unable to pull back.

The deficit was reduced with a try before the break, but Dundee extended their advantage to 24 points midway through the second half, rendering two late Reds tries mere consolations.