Valiant effort in loss for Linlithgow
Spirited display offers encouragement
Linlithgow Reds fell just short of claiming a stunning victory as they lost 48-41 in a thrilling encounter away to East Region League One leaders Royal High.
The hosts opened the scoring early doors as they grabbed a converted try in the fifth minute but the Reds were back on level terms almost immediately thanks to a fine try as Rab Cairns found Ross Plenderleith on an overlap to touch down. Jack Frame levelled things up by adding the conversion.
Royal High regained the lead with a try before another excellent move involving forwards and backs resulted in a fine pass by Cairns to send Frame over in the corner for a try.
The away side took the lead for the first time moments later as Frame kicked a penalty to give them a slender 15-12 advantage.
Unfortunately for Linlithgow, a poor 10 minute spell would cost them dearly as they gave up three tries in quick succession as they fell 31-15 behind.
A combination of poor tackling and questionable defensive alignment contributed to the match-changing spell, although the hosts certainly showed why they are unbeaten this term with some fine attacking play which they made count on the scoreboard.
In the second half, the Reds continued to attack with real spirit and flair which led to a pair of excellent individual tries.
John Chapman collected his own chip ahead and scored near the posts while Cairns scored following a lung bursting run from the halfway line.
Royal High, though, continued to score tries to maintain their advantage and, despite converted tries more converted tries from Chapman and Plenderleith, the Reds came up just short.
It was a tremendous effort from the team and they can hold their heads high after bouncing back from a stinging final stages of the first half to outscore Royal High 26-17 after the break.
They were rewarded with a pair of bonus points for their efforts, though, one for scoring four tries and another for losing by seven points or fewer.
Despite the defeat for Linlithgow, there were plenty of encouraging signs that what has so far been a frustrating season will be turning around.
The next two league fixtures for the Reds are both at their Mains Park home and they can take plenty of confidence into those games as they look to climb out of the lower half of the division.