Linlithgow blow Livingston away

Oct 8 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Linlithgow blow local rivals away

LIVINGSTON Rugby Club took to the field in an inter-county battle against old rivals Linlithgow for the first time in over a decade this weekend.

The clash is a welcome return to the rugby calendar but there was no happy ending for Livi, who lost out by 12 points.

The gale-force winds swirling around West Lothian at the weekend didn’t help either side but Linlithgow used the wind to their advantage in their first half.

After a fair amount of pressure and several penalties, they scored their first try of the game. Linlithgow were totally dominant in the opening half as Livi battled valiantly to try and weather the storm.

Livingston defended for almost the half and several missed tackles; the lack of possession having a visible effect on the visiting team.

The Livi forwards struggled to win any ball, while the backline struggled badly, missing too many tackles when the home team had possession.

Perform

Having said that, Livingston wingers Ian Simmons and Jason Watt, along with full-back Mark Douglas, must be pleased with their first half as they took every high ball that was asked of them by the visiting team.

Livingston were awarded a penalty towards the end of the first half, which Craig Bolan struck and they went in at the break 14-3 behind.

Livingston had the wind in the second half and, as a team, they must have believed that the conditions would do all their work for them.

But, instead, they rarely threatened the Linlithgow backline.

Livi forwards failed to make the most of their chances with possession and the backs struggled against more and more Linlithgow onslaughts.

Livingston were to concede two further tries in the second half.

The first was a well worked move by Linlithgow and the other was a push over from five yards out. The latter topping off a fine performance by the Linlithgow pack.

Livingston only managed three penalties in the second half and the game finished 24-12 to Linlithgow.

Livingston will have to raise their game as another tepid, insipid performance will certainly mean another defeat on Saturday against Whitecraigs.

Livingston: Eddie Stuart, Ally Laird, Brian Middlemass, Stuart Mushet, Gary Wilson, Robbie Wilson, Stevie Logan, Andy Stuart, Calum Sumpter, Andy Parks, Jason Watt, Craig Bolan, David Stone, Ian Simmons and Mark Douglas.

Replacements: Scott Cantley, David Laird and Jamie King.

lLIVINGSTON’s Second XV notched up their fifth win from five games with an impressive victory away at Preston Lodge.