After winning their league last year the EK lads have started slowly this season. But they knotched their first victory of the season against a joint Cumnock/Kilmarnock side.

The first half had 5 tries but this was no reflection on the play of both teams which was poor. A double from STEVEN THOMPSON and a late score from Ben Walters put EK 17- 12 up at half time.

The team talk at half time made the difference, the EK lads were instructed to drive forward and back up the ball carrier.

From the restart EK forwards drove to the opposition’s 5 metre line, quick ball found Ben Walters who exploited a gap in the defence to score.

The Cumnock team kicked long and won a scrum on the EK line after a knock on. The big Cumnock No.8 picked up but was stopped by Mark Donachie, who ripped the ball and ran 50 metres before being stopped. AIDAN STOTT was on Marks shoulder and caught the pass and ran in to score.

From the kick off Matthew Brown caught the ball and did a long mazy run, only desperate tackles stopped him. Brown presented the ball and the forwards secured it, AIDAN STOTT popped the ball to the on rushing Donachie who could not be stopped from 30 metres.

Cumnock’s kick off just went 10 metres and was caught by Ben Walters who ran over the opposition winger and scored in the corner.

Cumnock scored a try next, after pressure in the EK 22. It seemed to lift the Cumnock lads, and a physical battle between the forwards ensued.

The EK lads’ fitness told and they gained the upper hand.
From a ruck on the halfway, Donachie picked up the ball and went straight for the posts. The Cumnock players could not keep with him and he scored.

The EK team will do well if they play as they did in the second half, but will struggle if they follow the first half example.