Match Report: Haddington RFC vs. Langholm RFC

Newly promoted Langholm, travelled to Neilson Park on Saturday to resume league business. The two sides haven't played each other for a number of years.

With Kirk Washington-Mackay picking up a knee injury last week, Head Coach Clifford Livingstone rejigged the backline, with Donald Bathgate moving to scrumhalf and Nick Bell was promoted from the bench to take the ten jersey.

The Reds first half performance dominated the Clubhouse conversation, with Haddington securing the bonus point before the break.
Backrow forward, Harvey Blake got the scoring underway for the home side. After crashing the ball up the middle, the Reds darted back down the blindside and Captain Connor Munro managed to attract a couple of Langholm defenders and pop the ball back to Blake who darted over the try line.

Ben Moffat had a busy day at the office, with the fullback scoring a wonderfully worked try. Nick Bell was able to release his backline and some great hands from Andy Durkin allowed Kyle Hamilton to draw and pass. Some strong running from Moffat allowed him to beat several Langholm defenders and go over the try line. Scrumhalf, Donald Bathgate added the extras.

With play now down on the Langholm 5-meter line, Haddington were awarded a scrum. The home pack produced a solid set piece and number eight Munro picked from the base of the scrum. Flyhalf, Nick Bell was in support and crashed over the try line to get his first try of the season.

On the 19th minute mark, the home side were awarded another scrum on the halfway line. In a move straight of the training paddock, winger James Dewar found himself in acres of space but some great scramble defence from Langholm saw him stopped in his tracks. However, Moffat was in support and sailed through the whitewash to secure the try bonus point. Bathgate was on hand again to add the extra two points.
Macauley Parker was up next for Haddington, with the big second row crashing his way through the Langholm defence to gallop over the try line.

With ten minutes left of the first half, Langholm managed to get on the score board after some poor defensive work from Haddington. With the conversion hitting off the posts, the scores remained 26-5 to Haddington.

On the 35-minute mark, Haddington were awarded a penalty after an infringement at the scrum. Bathgate decided to take the quick tap penalty and prop, Garry Cockburn crashed it up. The next wave of forwards came round the corner and fellow prop, Steven Tennant barged his way over the Langholm try line.

With Langholm now playing down the hill towards the clubhouse in the second half, the away side certainly hadn’t given up on the game. On the 50-minute mark, the away pack managed to burrow their way over the Haddington try line for their second score. The Langholm replacement kicker added the extra from out wide.

With 20-minutes remaining in the game, Haddington got back on the score sheet after Ben Moffat set off on a blistering run, deep into the Langholm half. The ball was then fed along the backline and outside centre, Kyle Hamilton played a lovely ball back inside to his fellow centre, Ewan Cunningham. Cunningham was able to keep his composure and dot the ball down over the try line.

However, it was the away side who dominated the last quarter of the game. Three yellow cards for Haddington didn’t help the cause and Langholm capitalised on this, particularly at the set piece. Credit must go to the away side, who managed to grab a try bonus point in the 78th minute mark.

Although it was another bonus point win for Haddington, the high penalty count and indiscipline took the shine of the win slightly. The Reds certainly have plenty of work to do at training this week.

Next up, Haddington travel to Forrester on Saturday 30th of September as they look to keep their winning streak going.

Congratulations to Ben Moffat (sponsored by Callum Elliot) who was awarded the Player of the Match.