Langholm 13
Linlithgow 0
NATIONAL DIVISION ONE
JOHN SMITH reports from cASTLEHOLM
HEAVY rain and sleet left Milntown waterlogged and the match was switched to the Castleholm pitch, which had not been used for some time.
The heavy, muddy conditions and a strong swirling freezing wind made it a difficult afternoon for playing running rugby, or indeed any kind of rugby, and it was amazing how many supporters faced the bitter weather.
It was the perfect start for Langholm when skipper Niall Cubbon sent a penalty kick soaring between the uprights with only two minutes played.
The Milntown men were well in control in the opening half, but the adverse conditions obviously made things difficult and moves broke down at vital times.
After several advances into Linlithgow territory, home fly half Keith Davidson split open the visitors’ defence to race in for a fine try, which Cubbon converted, and it was 10-0 reaching the first quarter.
Cubbon increased the lead with another penalty and it remained 13-0 up to the interval.
Instead of the expectant control in the second half, it was Langholm who were forced to defend as Linlithgow won a large share of the possession.
The visitors were camped in the Langholm half for nearly 30 minutes, with only the odd counter, but neither team really looked like scoring.
The further the game progressed the more the play deteriorated and it ended with a blank second half.
Langholm: C. Jardine; R. Mackay, A. Cavers, N. Cubbon, L. Miller; K. Davidson, M. Young; C. Little, S. Devlin, D. Divers, A. Tyler, J. Ashton-Smith, S. Howatson, S. Nicol, S. Graham. Subs: J. Ratcliffe, C. Hislop, J. Pool.