Kilmarnock buoyed by last weeks home victory and despite a weakend team travelled to East Kilbride with high hopes of a victory but were second best on the day losing 24-9.
On a heavy pitch the home side had the advantage of the downhill slope and soon encamped in the Kilmarnock half. An eight minute penalty kick went wide but the home side continued to pressure the Kilmarnock scrum and opened the scoring with a push over try after quarter of an hour. The conversion was missed and Kilmarnock restarted with East Kilbride forcing their way back into Kilmarnock territory. Kilmarnock lost wing forward Sean Christie who was replaced by McKenzie Pearce and were soon under pressure gaining no real ground with the scant possession they were given.
A tap penalty to East Kilbride was knocked on but was retaken and a second penalty to the home side saw them edge ahead 8-0 after twenty two minutes.
Kilmarnock responded in the next five minutes winning possession in the forwards and won two penalties in succession which were converted by Colin Sturgeon to reduce the deficit 8-6. Kilmarnock at last realized there was a game on and tried in vain to add to their score. Half time beckoned and Kilmarnock had the chance to redeem themselves with the downslope advantage as the light wind subsided.
Stuart Pratt was replaced at centre with Sean Christie returning and Kilmarnock restarted with a player in front of the kicker to give the home side a scrum on the half way line.
Kilmarnock forced the scrum through 90 degrees to win the put in only to be penalized. The kick failed to reach touch with Kilmarnock returning to give a home lineout which was won by Kilmarnock with no advantage and a scrum given to the visitors. Kilmarnock’s number eight was taken out off the ball and surprisingly East Kilbride were given a penalty which was duly converted to stretch the lead 11-6.
Kilmarnock restarted and won possession with Greg Montgomery combining with Ruaridh Cuthbertson to win a penalty. Colin Sturgeon kicked to bring Kilmarnock within a score 11-9. Kilmarnock seemed to be in contention with Taylor McHarg substituting for Gordon Laurie, winning lineout and scrums however the backline could not advance the ball with any great penetration. Kilmarnock were penalized midway through the half and the kick edged the home side 14-9 ahead.
The coup de grace came two minutes later when the East Kilbride pack drove upfield the ball was moved out their line with the number eight collecting the ball and racing 30metres unopposed to score a converted try. 21-9.
Stuart Lauder came on at scrum half with Fergus Porter moving to centre and Sean Christie left the field with a head wound to add to his woes. Coach Robbie Stewart momentarily contemplated taking to the field however Sean Christie returned after McKenzie Pearce retired with an ankle injury. Two penalties in quick succession were given to Kilmarnock who elected to tap the ball instead of kicking for goal. If anything was to be rescued it might have been a bonus pint however Kilmarnock’s hopes were well and truly dashed when another penalty was added ten minutes from time 24-9.
Graeme Dick was replaced by Gordon Laurie in the final substitution and East Kilbride ended the game winning further penalties outwith kicking distance.
The home team well deserved their victory with a below par performance from Kilmarnock which coaches Dougie Campbell and Robbie Stewart reinforced to their players in the post mortem.