Gutted Reds fall just short in cup thriller
Stewartryedgeouthostsinexcitingquarter-finalclash
Linlithgow Reds were edged out 47-40 at home to Stewartry in a thrilling National Shield quarterfinal clash at Mains Park.
The hosts started brightly and grabbed a pair of quick tries to open up a 14-0 lead within 10 minutes to stun the visitors.
The first try came after a slick handling move was stopped short of the line, but fine drives by Ross Martin and Mark Caddle allowed the ball to be shipped to centre Mike Doneghan who powered under the posts.
The second arrived shortly after as hooker Kyle Ormond started a move that saw Caddle and Jamie Tulloch take the ball forward before Ormond himself touched down.
However, Stewartry showed their intent when running the ball at every opportunity to stretch the home defence, even refusing a few kickable penalty opportunities to keep the pressure on.
They passed the ball slickly from side to side looking for gaps and then sent their heavy brigade of forwards running hard at the goal line which paid dividends on the 20-minute mark with their first try.
That was quickly followed by a penalty to cut the arrears to six points with the teams then exchanging scores with the remainder of the first-half being a back and forth affair.
Jack Frame notched a pair of penalties to make it 20-8 before Stewarty added a converted try – only for Freddie Adcock to give the Reds a 27-15 half-time lead with a stunning try as he showed neat footwork and blistering pace to score from 40 yards out.
The early stages of the second-half saw an exchange of penalties, with both teams adding a pair as the score ticked over to 33-21 in Linlithgow’s favour before a game-changing 10-minute spell midway through the half.
Three quick converted tries completely turned the game on its head as the Castle Douglas-based visitors went from trailing by 12 points to boasting a 42-33 advantage as they made the most of a tiring Reds defence.
The home side were able to stem the tide and make for a thrilling ending as
they grabbed a penalty try to make it a two-point game with just five minutes remaining – with Stewartry also reduced to 14 men for the infringement that led to the try.
However, they were unable to take advantage and get the ball back up the park, with the away side wrapping up the
scoring with their sixth try of the contest in the final minute to end the Reds’ trophy hopes.
It’s now back to league action this weekend as Linlithgow travel to Broughton hoping to keep alive their East Region League Division One promotion hopes.