Langholm 34
Livingston 0
NATIONAL DIVISION ONE
JOHN SMITH reports from Milntown
LIVINGSTON arrived at Milntown on the back of a heavy 96-3 defeat at the hands of Kilmarnock, but they started in determined fashion, fought for everything up front and tackled like Trojans.
The Milntown men produced the early pressure and went ahead with a Niall Cubbon penalty goal after only four minutes.
The visitors made it difficult for the Langholm pack to get clean possession and it was frustrating for the home supporters, who obviously expected a more polished display against the bottom side in the league.
The crowd were suddenly brought to life when home skipper Cubbon produced a strong straight run up the middle of the park and handed off several defenders on his way to a great individual try, which he also converted, with 23 minutes played. The score remained 10-0 up to half-time.
Livingston stormed into attack after the interval, but after a brief spell of pressure the danger was cleared.
The Milntown men set up a number of handling attacks which eventually led to a try by Cubbon in the corner, which he failed to convert in the blustery conditions.
Home fly half Keith Davidson then split the defence and fed a long pass to supporting full back Colin Jardine, who went in for another try at the flag.
A penalty to Langholm inside the visitors’ 22 was quickly taken by Davidson, with the tap and over before Livingston knew what had happened. Cubbon added the conversion and was again on target after hooker Stephen Devlin had surged over to score.
Langholm vice-captain Steven Nicol made a welcome return to action after a lengthy spell out with injury, when coming off the subs bench midway through the second period.
Langholm: C. Jardine; R. Mackay, N. Cubbon, A. Cavers, K. Miller; K. Davidson, C. Hislop, D. Divers, S. Devlin, M. McGimpsey, A. Tyler, C. Little, J. Reid, S. Howatson, S. Graham. Subs: J. Ratcliffe, M. Kovlowski, S. Nicol.