Linlithgow Rugby Club celebrate title win with games to spare, as boss says triumph has been "a long time coming"

Linlithgow Rugby Club on Saturday sealed the East League 1 title with two games to spare, and coach Dougie Thomson immediately fixed his sights on the next prize.

The Reds beat Forrester 26-12 on Saturday to ensure they would be crowned champions, and face the same opponents at Mains Park in the National Shield second round on Saturday, February 17.

Thomson says this has been over a decade in the works, and hopes there is more to savour.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” he said. “It has been a long time coming and it is great to see all the hard work to come to fruition.

“Hopefully we will be able to double it up, because we want to have a good cup run as well.”

The win leaves the Reds 19 points ahead of second-placed Haddington and untouchable with two games to spare, even with their rivals having a game in hand. Linlithgow’s try difference is also more than twice that of Haddington’s at 280.

It took the Reds a while to get going, but the opening try came when Jack Frame kicked a penalty deep into the Forrester 22 and from the lineout Euan Mochrie took a good ball at the front, Archie Rusack spun the ball to winger Ross Plenderleith, and he crashed over.

Frame added the points for a 7-0 lead.

Forrester responded with some slick passing and good forward drives, but the Reds’ defence held firm under pressure.

Linlithgow worked their way upfield, where they won a scrum under the posts, and it was no surprise when Mark Caddle continued his fine try-scoring run with a No.8 pick-up and drive over the line.

The extra points took their lead to 14-0 after 20 minutes.

Forrester’s pack then pounded the Reds’ goal-line, found a gap, and ran in an unconverted try, leaving the half-time score at 14-5.

Forrester had Linlithgow pinned in