Linlithgow Reds versus Livingston RFC match report

Nov 1 2012 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

Livingston clinched their ninth straight league win with an assured win over rivals Linlithgow Reds.

Linlithgow were all over the visiting team in the opening 15 minutes.

Reds’ Jack Frame had an early run which settled any nerves and this burst of pressure resulted in the lead for Linlithgow when Ross Martin converted a penalty.

Livingston’s defence repelled the Linlithgow attack and, following a break from Livvy’s Jamie King, winger Ross Neil ended a fine passing move to grab the first try, which Dean Edwards failed to convert.

Livvy added another try five minutes later with Andy McMahon crossing the line, which made the score 12-3 at half-time after Edwards converted.

The second half started with a bang. Livvy scrum-half John Bruton broke from a scrum and outpaced the covering defence before passing to Neil, who grabbed his second try.

Linlithgow lost second row Charlie Gillanders to the sin bin and their misery was compounded when Livvy centre Kev Buchan created space for stand-off Craig Bolan to find centre Andy McMahon, who grabbed the their fourth try to seal the bonus point. Edwards again converted to make the score 29-3.

Livingston continued their dominance and were far from finished with the scoring.

Craig Bolan found King, who committed two Reds men before a perfectly timed off-load found McMahon, who scored his third try of the match, which again Edwards converted to make it 36-3.

Edwards showed off his accuracy further when he hit a second successful penalty to extend Livi’s lead.

With time running out for Linlithgow to score, Livingston took advantage of a mix-up in midfield and John Bruton found Neil again for the winger to scorch home for his hat-trick.

After Edwards converted to make it 46-3 to Livingston the visitors continued to hunt for more points.

And they managed to break the half-century scoreline for the second time this season.

This was duly supplied when replacement second row Stephen Hay was brought down just short of the try line. His off-load from the floor was latched on to by veteran number eight Graeme Steel, who powered over the line to complete the rout. Edwards missed his kick to make the score 51-3.

Livingston lost scrum half John Bruton and replacement back row Simon Reynolds to two yellow cards but, even reduced to 13 men for the remainder of the game, Livingston held out for an impressive victory away from home.

A large visiting contingent enjoyed the first derby match of the season far more than the home fans.

Livingston stay top of the table with a four-point lead over Preston Lodge. They travel to Langholm on Saturday while fifth-placed Reds are away to Duns.