The 2025-2026 season kicked off today with the 1xv away at Linlithgow in the Arnold Clark National League Division 4.

It was a special day as Connor Duncan was playing his 100th match for Whitecraigs.

There was also 1xv debut for Logan Dougall on the wing and new team member Greg Jackson, scoring on his debut.

The first half started with high energy. Whitecraigs with more possession forcing the play to settle in Linlithgow’s half. The Mighty looked threatening with several try opportunities. Two were held up and a couple of near misses as Linlithgow defended doggedly. Whitecraigs continued to press Linlithgow back into their own half for much of the first half., Linlithgow making a few breaks when in possession.

The game was bruising with relentless contact and locked at 0-0. Linlithgow collected two yellow cards on 31 and 39 minutes but Whitecraigs couldn’t take advantage as the Linlithgow defence stood strong. The first half finished 0 -0.

The deadlock was broken with a 41st minute Whitecraigs try and conversion, a reward for the pressure and offensive play. Another try and conversion on 52 minutes put Whitecraigs 0-14. A Linlithgow attack thereafter had Whitecraigs awarded two yellow cards as they defended just inside their 22 metre line against determined Linlithgow with 10 mins remaining. Linlithgow scored a try but unconverted with the extra player advantage, score 5-14.

Whitecraigs needed to work hard to close out the game. Linlithgow scored and converted on 77 minutes, the tension rose for both sets of players and spectators. The referee signalled 1 minute remaining on the final play of the game and Linlithgow had possession inside the Whitecraigs half. The ball was spilled and the sharp reactions of Whitecraigs, Captain Lewis, went to ground to win the loose ball and the possession for Whitecraigs with 80 mins gone. The referee awarded Whitecraigs a penalty and the final whistle blew……. Phew !

Meanwhile the 2xv got off to a winning start to their season at home versus Annan with a 28-0 victory in the Arnold Clark West Region Reserves League Division 1.

Next Match:

1xv
Arnold Clark National League Division 4
Saturday 6th September
Home v Moray
Kick off 1pm

2xv
Arnold Clark West Region Reserve League Division 1
Saturday 6th September
Home V Hillhead/Jordanhill
Kick off 1pm